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WINCHESTER 


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SOUTH 


Hon.  Benjamin  Read. 


THE 


HISTORY  OF  SWANZEY^ 

NEW   HAMPSHIRE, 

FROM 
1734      TO       1890. 


BY 

BENJAMIN   READ. 


Our  fathers'  God',    from  out  thy  hands 
The  centuries  drop  like  grains  of  sand. 

— Whittier. 


SALEM,  MASS.: 

The  Salem  Press  Publishing  and  Printing  Co. 

"Cbc  Salem  press. 

1892. 


^ 


^^ 


PREFACE 


The  desire  to  know  the  history  of  one's  ancestors,  to  perpetuate 
the  heroism  and  noble  deeds  of  his  forefathers,  is  well  nigh  universal. 
This  feeling  is  not  limited  to  civilized  society,  it  is  not  peculiar  to 
people  who  have  a  written  language.  The  wild  Indian  of  the  forest, 
knowing  nothing  of  letters,  in  his  own  peculiar  way  recounts  to  his 
children  the  exploits  of  his  fathers,  and  tradition  does  for  him  in  part 
what  the  historian  does  for  an  enlightened  people. 

It  has  long  been  the  feeling  of  many  of  the  citizens  of  Swanzey,  of 

those  who  love  their  home  and  revere  the  memory  of  those  who  have 

gone  before   them,  of  those  whose  interests  are  identified  with  the 

-J-       welfare  of  the  town,  that  some  measures  should  be  taken  to  arrange, 

vO       preserve,  and  put  in  a  readable  form  the  record  of  those  events  in  our 
CM  ^ 

^       early  history  which  could   be  obtained,  and  which  were  worthy  of 

preservation. 

In  1856,  Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  Avas  employed  to  copy  some  of  the 
ancient  town  records,  many  of  which  were  almost  obliterated  and  un- 
intelligible. 

In  the  warrant  for  the  annual  meeting  in  1880  an  article  was  in- 
serted to  see  if  the  town  Avould  take  measures  to  publish  its  early 
history  and  raise  money  for  the  same.  At  this  meeting  A.  A.  Ware, 
Benjamin  Read,  G.  I.  Cutler  and  H.  H.  Saunderson  were  chosen  a 
committee  to  investigate  in  regard  to  cost,  etc.,  and  report  at  the  next 
annual  meeting.  A  similar  article  was  inserted  in  1881  and  a  verbal 
report  made  at  the  meeting  by  the  committee.  The  town,  on  the  plea 
of  the  existing  indebtedness,  voted  to  dismiss  the  article.  In  1882 
an  attempt  was  again  made  but  failed  as  before.  In  1884  the  town 
"  voted  to  raise  five  hundred  dollars  to  be  expended  by  the  selectmen 
towards  writing  and  publishing  the  history  of  Swanzey." 

Ciii) 


1 


IV  PREFACE. 

During  the  season  Beujamin  Read  was  employed  to  commence  the 
work  and  $226,52  was  paid  him  for  labor  in  collecting  data  for  the 
genealogical  part  of  the  history. 

In  March,  1885,  it  was  "voted  to  raise  five  hundred  dollars  for 
the  completion  of  the  town  history  in  addition  to  what  was  raised  last 
year  for  this  purpose. 

"Voted  that  Joseph  Hammond,  Alonzo  A.  Ware  and  George  I.  Cut- 
ler be  the  committee  for  the  completion  of  the  same." 

As  Mr.  Read  had  commenced  the  Avork  it  was  thought  best  to 
employ  him  to  complete  it,  which  they  did,  contracting  as  follows :  — 

"  Said  Read  agrees  to  write  said  history  containing  about  seven 
hundred  pages  and  four  hundred  words  lo  a  page,  dating  from  the 
earliest  settlement  of  the  township  lo  the  present  time — to  faruisli  nil 
diagrams  and  plans — exclusive  of  engravings — necessary  to  illustrate 
the  same,  and  to  complete  the  whole  in  a  workmanlike  manner  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  committee  and  ready  for  the  press  b}^  April  1, 
1886.  Said  committee  in  behalf  of  said  town  agree  to  pay  said  Road 
for  doing  said  work  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  dollars  including  the 
amount  he  has  already  received  for  the  same  from  the  town,  to  be  paid 
in  proportional  instalments  as  the  work  progresses  and  is  examined 
and  approved  by  said  committee.  All  material  prepared  by  said  Read 
for  which  he  has  or  shall  have  received  pay  shall  be  the  property  of 
the  town  subject  to  the  disposal  of  the  committee." 
This  contract  was  dated  March  30,  1885. 

In  consequence  of  Mr.  Read's  finding  the  work  of  greater  magni- 
tude than  he  supposed,  and  of  other  employments  which  claimed  his 
attention,  its  completion  has  been  delayed  and  the  histor}'  brought 
down  to  the  present  date. 

The  township  map  has  been  prepared  expressly  for  the  book  and 
gives  the  names  of  the  resident  population  in  1890. 

Stvanzey,  N.  II.,  August,  1892. 


CONTENTS. 


Page 
Preface  .........  iii 

Contexts v 

List  of  Portraits,  Illustrations  and  Maps  .         .  ix 

Corrigenda        .........  xi 

Introductory  ........  xiii 

Chapter  I.      Topography — Situation,  "Water-courses,  Min- 
erals, Soil,  Forest  Trees,  Fruits,  Animals       ...  1 
Chapter  II.    The  Indians  of  the  Connecticut  and  Ashue- 

lot  Valleys  ........  11 

Chapter    III.      General    Outline    History  —  Township 
granted,  Names  of  Grantees,   Proprietors'    Records,   Di- 
visions of  Land,  Settlement  of  Province  Boundary  Line, 
New  Hampshire  Charter,  Land  annexed  from  Richmond, 
Disannexed  to  other  towns,   Committee  of  Safety,    Beef 
Tax,  Vermont  Controversy,  Warning  out  of  town,  Paper- 
money,  Names  of  Settlers,  Employment  of   the  People, 
Food,  Dress,  Farming  and  Household  Implements,  "Wages.  35 

Chapter  IV.      Military  Affairs. — Early  military  move- 
ments during  the  Revolutionary  "War,  Soldiers  at  Bunker 
Hill,  Cambridge,  Canada,  Ticonderoga,  etc..  Col.  Ham- 
mond's Ride,  Beef  for  the  Army,  Bounties  and  Payments 
to  soldiers,  "War  of  1812,  Action  of  the  Town  in  the  "War 
of  the  Rel)ellion,  Enlistment  Drafts,  Bounties  Paid,  Sol- 
diers' Individual  Record,  Military  Laws,  Trainings  and 
Musters,  Swanzey's  Military  Companies,  Cavalry,  Artil- 
lery, Rifle  Company,  Officers  of  each.       ....  102 

Chapter  V.  Ecclesiastical  —  Congregational  Church, 
Formation,  Early  History,  Members,  Ministers,  Officers, 
Parsonage,  Congregational  Society,  Names  of  Members, 
Officers,  Ladies'  Society,  Sunday  School,  Church  Choir, 
Society  Funds,  Meeting-Houses,  Baptist  Ciuirch,  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  Universalist  Society.  .         .  154 

(V) 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Chapter  VI.  Educational — Early  Votes  pertaining  to 
Schools,  School  Districts,  Scliool  Houses,  Apparatus,  Su- 
pervision, Superintending  School  Committee,  Board  of 
Education,  Appropriations,  Division  of  Scliool  Money, 
High  School,  Teachers,  Text  books.  Spelling  Schools, 
School  Associations,  Swanzey  Academy,  Libraries,  Chau- 
tauqua L.  &  S.  Circle        .......  184 

Chapter  VII.  Highways  and  Bridges  — Boston  Roads, 
Early  la3'Outs,  Specimen  Record,  Sundry  Roads,  when  built, 
Old  Turnpilces,  Rates  of  Toll,  "California"  Road,  "Willis" 
Road,  Bridges,  when  built,  Cost  of  Construction,  High- 
way Surveyors,  Prices  of  Labor        .....  201 

Chapter  VIII.     Notes  for  State  Officers,  Pkesidential 

Electors,  etc. — Lists  of  Town  officers,  etc.    .         .         .  207 

Chapter  IX.  Swanzey  Industries  — Industries  of  West 
Swanzey,  Factory  Village,  East  Swaiize}',  Westport, 
Spragueville,  Swanzey  Centi'e,  Graves'  Place,  Wilcox 
Shop,  Lane  Mill  on  Bridge  Brook,  Other  Mills,  Stores, 
Hotels,  Brick-making,  Tanneries,  Palm-leaf  Hats     .         .  220 

Chapter  X.  Miscellaneous — Fatal  Accidents,  Murders, 
Small  Pox,  Svvanze}-  Cemeteries,  Revolutionary  Pensioneis 
iu  1840,  Epidemic  at  Westport,  Professional  Men,  Mail 
Carrying  and  Postmasters,  Town  Debt,  Town  Paupers, 
Marking  Sheep,  A  Rolling  Stone,  Rain  and  Snow  Storms, 
Cold  Year,  Grasshopper  Year,  Temperance,  Boating  on 
the  Ashuelot  River,  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Supervisors  of 
the  Check  List,  Great  Snow  Storm,  Secret  Societies, 
Bear  and  Wolf  Stories 249 

GENEALOGIES. 
Chapter  XL     Genealogical  Records.      ....  271 

Abbott,  Adams,  271;  Alexander,  272  ;  Albee,  Aldrich,  273;  An- 
derson, 277  ;  Angier,  Api)lin,  278  ;  Austin,  Atkinson,  Avery,  281. 

Babbit,  Bailey,  281  ;  Balch,  Ball,  282  ;  Baldwin,  Ballon,  283  ;  Banks, 
286;  Barden,  Bartlett,  Barrett,  Battles,  Bates,  Baxter,  287  ;  Beal, 
Belding,  288  ;  Bennett,  290  ;  Beverstock,  Bidwell,  Bishop,  293  ;  Blaci-., 
Blake,  294  ;  Bliss,  Blodgett,  BoUes,  295  ;  Bourn,  296  ;  Bouvier,  Bowei  . 
Bowles,  Boyce,  297  ;  Bragg,  Breed,  Brewer,  Bridge,  298  ;  Bryant, 
Britton,  299  ;  Brooks,  Brown,  300;  Bucklin,  301  ;  Buckman,  Bnffiim, 
Billiard,  302;  Bullock,  Bump,  303  ;  Burke,  Burnham,  Byam,  304. 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

Calkins,  304  ;  Caproii,  805  ;  Carlton,  306  ;  Carpenter,  307  ;  Carr, 
309  :  Carter,  Cass,  310  ;  Chamberlain,  Claric,  311  ;  Cobnrn,  312  ;  Col- 
lier, Conboy,  Converse,  Combs,  Cooic,  313;  Cooper,  Corlis,  Corey, 
Cram,  315  ;  Cresson,  Cross,  316  ;  Crossett,  Cronch,  319  ;  Cummings, 
320;  Curtis,  322;   Cutler,  323. 

Danforlh,  Daniels,  Dnvidson,  Darling,  323  ;  Day,  Dickerinan,  324; 
Derby,  Dickinson,  325  ;  Dodge,  Dolby,  Downing,  328  ;  Draper, 
Drewry,  Dunham,  Dunton,  Dnrant,  Duston,  Dvvinnel,  329. 

Eames,  330;  Eastman,  Eaton,  332;  Ellis,  333;  Ellor,  Emerson, 
334  ;  Emery,  Evans,  Eveletli,  335. 

Fairbanks,  Faulkner,  Farnsworth,  Farr,  336  ;  Farris,  Fassett,  Fes- 
senden.  Field,  337;  Fifield,  Fish,  338  ;  Fitzgerald,  Flint,  339  ;  Fol- 
let,  Forhush,  Forrestall,  Foster,  340;  Fowler,  Fox,  341;  Franklin, 
Frary,  Freeman,  French,  Frink,  342;  Frost,  Fuller,  343. 

Gary,  Gates,  Gay,  344;  Gilmore,  Goddard,  345;  Good  ell,  Good- 
hue. Goodnow,  Graves,  346;  Granger,  Greene,  348;  Greenleaf,  349  ; 
Griffith,  Grimes,  350;   Grogan,  Guild,  351  ;   Gunn,  352. 

Hale,  353;  Hall,  Hamblet,  354  ;  Hammond,  355  ;  Handy,  Hanra- 
han,  361  ;  Hardy,  Hare,  Harris,  362;  Harvey,  363;  Haskell,  Hast- 
ings, 364  ;  Hazeu,  Hayes,  Healey,  Heaton,  365  ;  Heffron,  Henry,  366  ; 
Hewes,  367;  Higgins,  Hill,  368;  Hills,  371;  Holbrook,  373;  Hol- 
man,  Hosley,  Holdeu,  Houghton,  Hovey,  380  ;  Howard,  381  ;  Howe, 
382;  Howes,  383;  Hunt,  384;  Huntly,  385. 

Inman,  Iredale,  385. 

Jackson,  386  ;  Jerome,  Johnson,  387. 

Kendall,  Kiblin,  Kidder,  Kimball,  387  ;  King,  Kingsbury,  Kinney, 
388;  Knight,  389. 

Lamson,  Lane,  389  ;  Lawrence,  Leach,  394  ;  Lebourveau,  Leon- 
ard, 395;  Lewis,  Lincoln,  Locke,  Lombard,  396;  Lonergan,  Long, 
397;  Lord,  Loveland,  398;  Lovering,  Lyman,  399. 

Mack,  Mann,  McFarland,  Mansfield,  399;  Marble,  Marcy,  Marsh, 
400  ;  Marshall,  Martin,  Marvin,  Mason,  401  ;  Matthews,  403  ;  Meadi 
Mellen,  Merriam,  404  ;  Metcalf,  Moore,  405  ;  Morse,  406  ;  Munsell, 
Murdock,  Murdough,  Murphy,  407. 

Nadow,  Nason,  Naylon,  Nelson,  Newell,  Newton,  408  ;  Nichols, 
Nicholson,  Nittrowr,  Norwood,  409. 

Oakman,  409  ;  Ockington,  Olcott,  410  ;  Oliver,  Osborn,  Osgood,  411. 

Page,  412  ;  Palmer,  Parker,  414;  Parkinson,  Parsons,  415  ;  Patch, 
Partridge,  Peasley,  417  ;  Perham,  Peck,  Pelkey,  Perry,  418  ;  Peters, 
419;  Fluff,  Plumraer,  Pierce,  Pomroy,  421  ;  Porter,  Potter,  Prentice, 
422;  Prime,  423;  Prouty,  Puffer,  424. 


VIU  CONTENTS. 

Quinn,  424. 

Ramsey,  Rjimsdell,  Raj'mond,  424;  Randall,  426;  Read,  427; 
Reed,  432;  Rice,  Rich,  Richardson,  433;  Rider,  Ripley,  Rixford, 
Robbins,  437;  Roble}',  Rogers,  Robinson,  Rockwood,  438;  Rugg, 
439  ;   Russell,  440. 

Sargent,  Savv^-er,  440;  Scott,  Seaver,  442;  Sebastian,  Sebastin, 
444;  Sherman,  Siinonds,  Slate,  445;  Smalle}',  Smead,  446  ;  Smith, 
Snell,  Snow,  447  ;  Southworth,  Sparliawk,  Si)()fFord,  449  ;  Sprague, 
Spring,  Stanley,  450  ;  Stanton,  Slarkey,  451  ;  Stearns,  455  ;  Steven- 
son, Stei)henson,  457  ;  Stoddard,  Stone,  459  ;  Stowell,  Stratton,  461  ; 
Streeter,  463  ;  Sumner,  464. 

Taft,  465;  Taggard,  Talbot,  468  ;  Taylor,  Temple,  Thatcher,  469  ; 
Thayer,  Thompson,  470  ;  Thorning,  Tovvne,  Trask,  475  ;  Trowbridge, 
476  ;  Tucker,  Twitchel,  477. 

Underwood,  478. 

Verry,  478. 

Ward,  479  ;  Ware,  480  ;  Warner,  Warren,  Watson,  481;  Weeks, 
Wetherbee,  Wheeler,  482;  Wheelock,  Whitcomb,  483  ;  Whittaker, 
White,  494;  Wilcox,  Wilder,  Willard,  495  ;  Willis,  Williams,  496; 
Wilson,  497  ;  Winch, Witiiington,  Wood,  Woodcock,  499  ;  Woodward, 
501  ;  Worcester,  502;  Wright,  503. 

Young,  504. 

CHAPfER  XII.     Biographical  and    Supplementary — Indi- 
vidual biographies,  alphabetically  arranged      .         .         .  505 
Appendix.    Thomas  Cresson's  Will,  Additional  Records,  etc.  575 
Index         ..........  581 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Hon.  Benjamin  Read. 


.    Frontispiece 


opp.  Page 

8 
16 
48 


VIEWS. 

View  of  West  Swanzey,  from  Marc}-  Hill,  looking  west 
Boulder  by  C.  H.  Holbrook's  House,  near  West  Swanzey 
Main  Street,  West  Swanzey,  looking  west 
Congregational  Meeting  House,  Swanzey  Centre,  with 

INIt.  CfEsar  in  backsjround  facino;  east       ....  154 

Town  House  and  Mt,  C^sar  Union   Library,    Swanzey 

Centre,  facing  west  .......  169 

View  of  Baptist  and  Universalist  Meeting  Houses,  West 

Swanzey,   looking  westerly       .         .         .         .         .         .  176 

School  House,  West  Swanzey,  facing  east ....  185 

School  House,  No.  8,  on  Maple  Hill       ....  192 

School  House,  East  Swanzey,  facing  east  .  .         .  200 

Winchester  Street,  West  Swanzey,  looking  south  .  206 


Stephen  Faulkner, 
Albert  B.  Read, 


520 
543 


Simeon  Cook 

G.  L  Cutler,  M.D. 

Henry  Fames 

George  W.  Gay,  M.D. 

Joseph  Hammond 

Charles  Holbrook 

Mellen  R.  Holbrook 

Enoch  Howes 

Hon.  Asa  S.  Kendall 


516 
518 
331 
524 
359 
528 
373 
381 
216 


(ix) 


VIU  CONTENTS. 

Quinn,  424. 

Ramsey,  Rjimsdell,  Ra^-mond,  424;  Randall,  426;  Read,  427; 
Reed,  432;  Rice,  Ricli,  Richardson,  433;  Rider,  Ripley,  Rixford, 
Robbins,  437 ;  Robley,  Rogers,  Robinson,  Rockwood,  438  ;  Rugg, 
439 ;  Russell,  440. 

Sargent,  Sawyer,  440;  Scott,  Seaver,  442;  Sebastian,  Sebastin, 
444;  Sherman,  Simonds,  Slate,  445;  Snialle}',  Smead,  446  ;  Smith, 
Snell,  Snow,  447  ;  Southworth,  Sparhavvk,  SpofFord,  449  ;  Spragne, 
Spring,  Stanley,  450;  Stanton,  Starkey,  451  ;  Stearns,  455;  Steven- 
son, Stei)henson,  457  ;  Stoddard,  Stone,  459  ;  Stowell,  Stratton,  461  ; 
Streeter,  463;  Sumner,  464. 

Taft,  465  ;  Taggard,  Tall)ot,  468  ;  Taylor,  Temple,  Thatcher,  469  ; 
Thayer,  Thompson,  470  ;  Thorning,  Towne,Trask,  475  ;  Trowbridge, 
476;  Tucker,  Twitcliel,  477. 

Underwood,  478. 

Verry,  478. 

Ward,  479  ;  Ware,  480  ;  AVainer,  Warren,  Watson,  481  ;  Weeks, 
Wetherbee,  Wheeler,  482;  Wheelock,  Whitcoml),  483  ;  Whittaker, 
White,  494;  Wilcox,  Wilder,  Willard,  495  ;  Willis,  AVilliams,  496; 
Wilson,  497  ;  Winch, Withington,  Wood,  Wt>odcock,  499  ;  Woodward, 
501  ;  Worcester,  502  ;  Wright,  503. 

Young,  504. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Hon.  Benjamin  Read. 


Frontispiece 


VIEWS. 

View  of  West  Swanzey,  from  Marc}'  Hill,  looking  west 
Boulder  by  C.  H.  Holbrook's  House,  near  West  Swanzey 
Main  Street,  West  Swanzey,  looking  west 
Congregational  Meeting  House,  Swanzey   Centre,  with 

Mt.  Caesar  in  backgronnd  facing  east       .... 
Town  House  and  Mt.  C^sar  Union   Library,    Swanzey 

Centre,  facing  west  ....... 

View  of  Baptist  and  Universalis!  Meeting  Houses,  West 

Swanzey,   looking  westerly       ...... 

School  House,  West  Swanzey,  facing  east .... 

School  House,  No.  8,  on  Maple  Hill       .... 

School  House,  East  Swanzey,  facing  east 
Winchester  Street,  West  Swanzey,  looking  sonth 


OFF.  Page 

8 
16 

48 


facing  frontispiece 


MAPS. 

Map  of  Swanzey    .... 

Plot  of  Swanzey,  1747       ....... 

Plan  of  Swanzky,  1762  ...... 

West   Swanzey,  Swanzey   Factory   Village,    Westport, 
East  Swanzey,        ........ 


portraits. 


Simeon  Cook 

G.  I.  Cutler,  M.D. 

Henry  Eames 

George  W.  Gay,  M.D. 

Joseph  Hammond 

Charles  Holbrook 

Mellen  R.  Holbrook 

Enoch  Howes 

Hon.  Asa  S.  Kendall 


154 

169 

176 
185 
192 

200 
206 


46 

59 

72 


516 
518 
331 
524 
359 
528 
373 
381 
216 


(ix) 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Benjamin  F.  Lombard 

533 

David  Parsons  ...... 

104 

Josiah  Parsons 

540 

Edwin  F.  Kkad          ..... 

429 

Edwin  M.  Read                ..... 

.         .               430 

N.  Henry  Richardson         .... 

544 

Rev.  Ei-isiia  Rockwood,  D  D. 

IGO 

C.  L.  Russell     ...... 

88 

0.  Sprague     ....... 

241 

Area  Stearns    ...... 

549 

Edmund  Stone 

245 

Emery  W.  Stratton 

128 

George  "W.  Stratton      ..... 

556 

Isaac  Siratton 

224 

John  Stratton 

461 

Denman  Thompson               .... 

562 

RuFus  Thompson 

471 

Alonzo  a.  Ware        ..... 

564 

Thomas  J.  Wetherbee    ..... 

144 

H.   R.   WlIITCOMB              ..... 

301 

George  E.  Whitcomb 

112 

Irvine  A.  Whitcomb            .... 

567 

RoswELL  Whitcomb         ..... 

484 

Hubbard  Williams    ..... 

348 

Julius  E.  Wilson   ...... 

498 

CORRIGENDA. 


Page  64,  line  12  from  top,  for  Pelitia  Kazey  read  Peletiah  Uazey. 
Page  108,  last  line,  for  Niools,  read  Nichols. 

Pages  128,  140  and  152  for  Aaron,  Aaron  B.,  and  Aaron  A.  read 
Aaron  H   Sumner. 

Page  130,  line  9  from  top,  for  George  Jackson  read  George  H.  Jack- 


son. 


Page  131,  line  21  from  top,  for  George  Willis  read  George  G.  Willis. 

Page  191,  line  31  from  top,  for  taught  read  introduced. 

Pages  202,  203,  247,  for  Zina  Taft  read  Zina  G.  Taft. 

Page  241,  line  3  from  top,  for  Luman  Seaver  read  Luraan  B.  Sea- 
ver. 

Page  246,  line  5  from  top,  for  John  Fitzgerald  read  Thomas  Han- 
rahan. 

Page  247,  line  20  from  top,  for  Henry  Morse  2d,  read  Henry  R. 
Morse. 

Page  346,  line  3  from  bottom,  for  Elijah  read  Elisha. 

Page  353,  line  13  from  top,  for  1872  read  1873  ;  for  March  9  read 
May  9. 

Page  361,  line  24  from  top,  for  Clara  read  Flora. 

Page  387,  line  22  from  top,  for  Roy  read  Ray  ;  line  23  from  top,  for 
Martin  E.  read  Mertie  E.  m.  Charles  R.  Weeks. 

Page  389,  line  26  from  top,  for  Baker  read  Brown. 

Page  403,  line  3  from  top,  for  Rush  read  Ruth, 

Page  413,  line  3  from  top,  for  Lyman  read  Rufus. 

Page  415,  line  2  from  top,  for  Ann  read  Anna. 

Page  419,  line  29  from  top,  for  Vt.  read  3fass. 

Page  463,  line  9  from  top,  for  July  26,  read  Jan.  26,  and  for  1854 
read  1857. 

Page  465,  line  25  from  top,   for  Aug.  30  read  June,  and  line  26 
from  top  after  May  30  read  1832. 

Page  482,  line  7  from  top,  after  Ellen  S.  read  daughter  of  Augus- 
tus Gee;  line  22  from  top,  for  1881  read  1841. 

Page  483,  line  2  from  top,  for  Benjamin  read  Abel. 

Page  499,  line  13  from  top,  after  d.  read  lives  in  Westmoreland. 

(xi; 


INTRODUCTION 


In  commencing  to  write  the  history  of  Swanzey,  the  compiler  but 
partially  realized  the  amount  of  labor  to  be  performed  or  the  difficul- 
ties to  be  surmounted  in  its  execution. 

More  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  had  elapsed  since  the  town 
was  first  settled.  During  that  time  no  attempt  had  been  made  by 
any  one,  to  the  writer's  knowledge,  to  arrange  and  put  in  a  connected 
form  the  events  of  the  past. 

The  principal  sources  relied  upon  for  data  have  been  the  public 
records  of  the  proprietors  and  those  of  the  town.  Both  of  these  are 
somewhat  defective — a  part  of  each  being  lost.  The  missing  volume 
of  the  latter,  and  the  most  important,  includes  the  years  from  1794 
to  1815.  During  this  period  the  second  meeting  (town)  house  was 
built,  and  the  war  with  Great  Britain  occurred.  Information  drawn 
from  other  sources  partially  fills  these  gaps.  The  records  of  the 
Congregational  and  Baptist  churches  have  been  very  well  kept  and 
preserved — the  former  dating  back  to  1741,  and  the  latter  to  the  be- 
ginning of  the  year  1792.  Valuable  statistics  have  been  obtained 
from  both.  Old  family  Bibles,  the  original  owners  of  which  have  long 
since  passed  away,  give  the  dates  of  births,  marriages  and  deaths  of 
many  of  former  generations.  The  gravestones  in  our  cemeteries 
likewise  tell  the  story  of  the  past.  All  these  and  many  other  relics 
have  been  consulted,  together  with  state,  county  and  army  records. 
Histories  of  towns  in  this  immediate  vicinity,  and  also  some  of  those 
whence  the  first  settlers  came,  have  been  called  into  requisition.  By 
careful  inquiry,  traditional  information  has  been  obtained  and  embod- 
ied in  the  work  that  might  otherwise  soon  have  passed  into  oblivion. 
Much  credit  is  due  the  late  Isaac  \V.  Hammoud  (a  native  of  this 
county  and  whose  ancestors  lived  in  this  town),  state  historian  and 

(xiii) 


o 

Xiv  INTRODUCTION. 

compiler  of  historical  sketches,  for  the  interest  he  has  manifested  in 
the  success  of  this  enterprise,  and  his  readiness  in  furnishing  data 
from  the  archives  at  Concord.  It  maybe  proper  to  add  that  the  com- 
mittee chosen  by  the  town  to  supervise  the  writing  and  publication  of 
this  history,  have  generally  acquiesced  in  the  plan  and  general  feat- 
ures of  the  work  as  outlined  by  the  compiler,  but  in  a  few  instances 
they  have  chosen  to  differ  from  him  and  take  the  responsibility  of  the 
changes  they  have  caused  to  be  made. 

Although  entire  accuracy  in  statement  has  been  aimed  at,  it  is 
probable  that  many  errors,  especially  in  the  genealogical  part  of  the 
work,  will  be  discovered.  These,  if  properly  noted  and  corrected, 
will  enable  the  historian  in  after  years  to  give  a  more  reliable  history 
to  our  children. 

Sivanzey,  1892.  Benjamin  Rkad. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Topography. 


Situation  — Water- Courses — Minerals—  Soil  —  Forest  Trees  —  Fruits 
— Wild  Animals— Birds— Fish — Sxakes. 

THE  town  of  Swanzey  lies  some  five  miles  to  the  south  of  Keene 
nearly  in  the  central  part  of  Cheshire  county  and  in  the  valley 
of  the  Ashuelot  upon  what  was  once  the  bottom  of  a  lake. 

The  following  extract  from  Professor  Hitchcock's  Report  of  the  Ge- 
ological Survey  of  the  State  is  illustrative  of  the  character  of  this  val- 
ley about  Swanzey  : 

"The  i)rincipal  valley  of  Cheshire  county  has  its  widest  development 
in  Keene  and  Swanze}'.     When  the  ice  melted  here,  this  basin  con- 
tained for  a  short  time  a  bod}^  of  water  somewhat  larger  and  probably 
deeper  than  Sunapee  lake,  which  soon  became  filled  by  the  alluvium 
of  floods  which  the  retreating  ice-sheet  sent  dovvn  by  every  tributary 
from  north,  east  and  south.     The  Ashuelot  river  flows  throuo;h  this 
basin,  lying  near  its  east  side  above  Keene,  but  crosses  to  its  west  side 
in  the  north  part  of  Swanzey.     Its  west  portion  in  Keene  is  drained 
by  the  last  four  miles  of  Ash  Swamp  brook.     Three  miles  south  from 
Keene  the  Ashuelot  liver  finds  an  avenue  westward,  alono;  which  it  is 
also  bordered  hy  low  modified  drift  for  several  miles.     The  straight 
valley,  however,  continues  to  the  south  through  Swanzey,  being  oc- 
cupied by  the  South  branch  and  Pond  brook,  with  an  alluvial  area 
which  decreases  from  one  mile  to  one-third  of  a  mile  in  width.     We, 
thus  here  find  a  valley  ten  miles  long  from  north  to  south,  filled  with 
nearly  level  deposits  which  are  but  slightly  higher  than  the  streams  and 
bordered  by  steep  and  nearly  continuous  ranges  of  hills  which  rise 
from  400  to  600  feet  upon  each  side.     This  alluvium  consists,  almost 
everywhere,  of  sand  or  tine  gravel,  perhaps  extensively  underlain  by 

(1) 


Z  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

clay  which  is  worked  for  brick-making  near  the  south  edge  of  the  city 
of  Keene.  Its  heiglit  is  from  10  to  40  feet  near  the  river,  and  the 
whole  plain  was  originally'  of  the  same  height  with  the  higiiest  pro- 
portions, which  still  occupy  the  greatest  part  of  the  alluvial  area. 
These  are  generall}- separated  from  the  lower  interval  b}' steep  escarp- 
ments, which  show  that  the  difference  in  height  is  due  to  excavation 
b}'^  the  river.  In  the  south  part  of  Swanze}'  we  find  occasional  ter- 
races, which  are  sometimes  of  coarse  gravel,  from  sixty  to  seventy 
feet  above  South  Branch,  showing  that  much  material  at  first  depos- 
ited here  was  afterwards  channelled  out  b^'  this  stream  and  carried 
northward  to  the  broad,  low  plains." 

Thus,  it  will  be  seen,  that  three  general  divisions  characterize  the 
surface  of  Swanzey.  The  first  includes  that  which  is  elevated  above 
the  plains,  the  second  the  plains,  the  third  the  intervals  and  mead- 
ows. 

The  hills  and  mountains  are  of  granitic  formation,  generally  un- 
even, and  some  of  them  quite  rough.  Several  of  the  higiiest  eleva- 
tions are  designated  mountains  and  are  several  hundred  feet  higher 
than  the  adjacent  plains. 

The  mountains  are  Mount  Huggins,  which  is  in  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  town  ;  Mount  Cresson,  west  of  the  Ashuelot  river,  about  a  mile 
from  the  Keene  line  ;  Mount  Cffisar  near  the  central  part  of  the  town  ; 
Peaked  mountain  in  the  southwest  corner  and  Franklin  mountain  at 
the  northern  base  of  which  is  "  Westport ;"  "  Pine  Hill"  in  the  north- 
western part  of  the  town,  at  the  north  spur  of  which  "stood  the 
home"  of  Joseph  Cross,  and  "Cobble  Hill,"  near  the  home  of  the 
late  John  Grimes.     All  are  interesting  places  to  visit. 

Everywhere  upon  uplands,  hills  and  mountains  are  to  be  seen  the 
effects  of  the  glacial  period.  In  many  places  there  are  extensive  drift 
formations,  of  which  a  most  noticeable  one  is  at  East  Swanzey.  On 
many  of  the  hills  and  mountains  the  loose  rocks  have  been  swept 
away,  leaving  the  underlying  rocks  smoothed  off  by  the  moving  gla- 
cier. Boulders  are  profusely  distributed,  large  ones  often  lying  upon 
the  drifi,  having  been  rounded  and  smoothed.  Many  large  ones  are 
to  be  seen  high  up  on  the  hills  and  mountains.  A  large  one  lies  on 
the  top  of  Mount  Cifisar,  The  most  conspicuous  boulder  is  near 
Charles  Ilolbrook's  house.  It  is  of  innnense  size  and  lies  upon  a  solid 
granite  surface,  onl^'  a  small  central  part  touching  tlie  rock  beneath, 
giving  it  a  prominent  appearance.  It  has  sheltered  man}'  flocks  of 
gheep  from  the  summer's  heat  and  winter's  storm. 

The  boulders  generally  come  from  hills  and  mountains  not  far  away. 


TOPOGRAPHY.  6 

but  some  of  them  came  from  places  evidentlj'  quite  distant.  They 
must  have  been  distributed  at  a  period  previous  to  the  time  when  the 
surface  of  the  lowlands  was  formed  and  are  not  often  to  be  seen 
above  the  surface,  having  been  buried  to  the  depth  of  man}'  feet  un- 
der cla}'  and  sand. 

After  the  upheavals  that  raised  our  hills  and  mountains  ;  after  the}'- 
had  been  ploughed  and  ground  by  the  glacier ;  after  the  glacier  had 
distributed  the  earths  and  rocks,  leaving  them  profusely  scattered 
from  the  lowest  valley  to  the  highest  mountain  ;  after  heat  and  frost, 
rain  and  atmosphere  had  disintegrated  the  surface  rocks  ;  after  an  im- 
mense amount  of  movable  material  had  b}'  mighty  floods  been  brought 
into  the  lake,  and  after  this  material  had  been  levelled  and  smoothed 
by  the  ceaseless  motion  of  its  water,  then  the  barrier  which  had  kept 
the  valley  a  lake  for  ages  gradual!}'  wore  away  and  the  valley  ceased 
to  be  a  lake. 

The  formation  of  rivers  and  brooks  followed  the  draining  of  the 
lake  ;  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  their  currents  have  been  mould- 
ing much  of  the  surface  into  its  present  form. 

Much  the  largest  river  in  Swanzey  is  the  Ashuelot.  It  enters  the 
town  nearly  at  the  centre  of  the  north  line  and  flows  in  a  south  and 
southwesterly  direction.  It  has  cut  down  to  the  primitive  rocks  in  three 
places, — at  Westport,  at  West  Swanzey,  and  at  a  place  less  than  two 
miles  above  West  Swanzey.  Before  it  was  obstructed  by  dams,  it  had 
a  fall  of  some  twenty-four  feet  in  passing  a  distance  of  about  six 
miles  in  the  town  ;  ten  feet  of  this  fall  were  at  Westport,  ten  at  West 
Swanzey  and  four  feet  above  West  Swanzey.  Its  channel  is  gener- 
ally deep  and  its  movement  sluggish. 

Much  the  largest  of  the  other  streams  is  the  South  branch  which 
enters  the  town  from  the  southwest  corner  of  Marlborough,  flows 
some  three  miles  in  a  southwesterly  direction  and  then  runs  about 
five  miles  west  and  north,  entering  the  Ashuelot  about  a  mile  from 
Keene  line.  It  has  not  apparently  cut  down  to  the  primitive  rocks 
at  any  place.  For  the  first  three  miles  it  has  considerable  fall,  and 
its  bed  most  of  the  way  is  stony.  The  rest  of  the  way  the  bed  is 
sandy  and  the  fall  light.  Its  fall  from  the  Marlborough  line  to  the 
Ashuelot  river  is  probably  somewhat  over  a  hundred  feet. 

Pond  brook  runs  from  Swanzey  pond  in  an  easterly  direction  to  the 
South  branch.  Its  fall  is  slight.  Two  small  streams  enter  the  town 
from  Richmond  and  connect  with  Pond  brook.  The  east  one  has  a 
slow  current  without  falls;  the  west  one  is  smaller  and  more  rapid. 

Hyponeco  brook,  an  Indian  name,  has  its  source  upon  the  east  side 


4  HISTOKY   OF   SWANZEY. 

of  the  Asliuelot  rang-e  of  mountains  and  reaches  the  Ashuelot  river 
by  a  circuitous  route,  a  short  distance  above  Westport. 

California  broolc  has  its  source  in  Cliesterfield.  Its  direction  is 
east  of  south  and  it  enters  the  Ashuelot  between  West  Swanzey  and 
Westport. 

Rixford  l)rook  runs  some  distance  through  the  extreme  west  part  of 
Swanzey.  It  rises  in  Chesterfield  and  llows  into  the  Ashuelot  in 
Winchester  some  distance  below  Swanzey  line. 

Swanze}'^  pond  is  a  natural  body  of  water.  It  is  about  a  mile  and 
a  half  southwest  of  Swanzey  Centre.  It  covers  about  one  hundred 
acres  and  is  fed  by  small  brooks  and  springs.  The  water  is  quite 
clear  and  pure. 

MINERALS. 

Swanzey  is  not  a  mining  town,  yet  magnetite  and  graphite  exist  in 
considerable  quantities.     Potstone  is  also  found. 

Magnetite  is  found  in  such  quantities  in  some  parts  of  the  state 
that  efforts  have  been  made  to  mine  it,  especially'  at  the  Franconia 
mine  in  Lisbon.  In  Swanzey  may  be  found  verj'  good  specimens  of 
the  crystal,  especially  toward  the  Marlboi*ough  line. 

Graphite  or  plumbago  occurs  in  the  rocks  of  Swanzey,  but  not  to  an 
extent  to  justify  mining  operations  as  at  Nelson  or  Goshen. 

From  the  northwest  side  of  Franklin  mountain,  stone  was  quarried 
for  the  Episcopal  church  in  Keene.  The  ridges  of  gneiss  crop  out  in 
several  places  in  Swanzey,  especially  east  of  Swanzey  pond. 

SOIL. 

The  State  of  New  Hampshire  is  covered  with  soil  of  four  kinds. 
The  Connecticut  valley  is  covered  with  a  soil  derived  from  calcareous 
rocks,  and  it  is  this  soil  which  is  the  richest  and  most  valuable  of  the 
four ;  but  as  we  pass  to  the  eastward  we  reach  a  basin  composed  of 
gneissic  and  granitic  soils,  which  has  the  least  value  of  all.  It  is  in 
this  basin  that  Swanzey  lies. 

The  greater  part  of  the  state  is  underlain  by  gneiss, —  practically 
the  same  as  granite — but  which  produces  a  better  soil  than  granite. 
The  soluble  element  present  is  usually'  potash,  from  ten  to  twelve  per 
cent,  a  valuable  substance  to  be  added  to  the  soil. 

When  the  land  in  Swanzey  was  first  cleared,  the  soil,  enriched  by 
vegetation,  produced  excellent  crops,  but  when  subjected  to  the  ordi- 
naiT  operations  of  farming  soon  became  exhausted. 

The  inevitable  result  has  been  that  lands  once  occupied  as  farms 


TOPOGRAPHY.  O 

liave  been  abandoned,  and  the  cellar  holes  and  other  remains  are  all 
that  exist  to  show  where  was  once  the  home  of  a  prosperous  farmer. 

There  still  remains,  however,  considerable  land  in  the  hills  which 
produces  good  crops  and  upon  which  the  owners  still  live,  and  there 
is  no  probability,  with  the  improvements  in  farming  now  in  vogue, 
that  they  will  ever  be  abandoned. 

The  plains  of  the  town  are  quite  extensive,  and  it  is  upon  these 
plains  that  most  of  the  varied  crops  of  r^'e,  corn,  beans  and  buck- 
wheat have  been  raised,  together  with  flax,  oats  and  potatoes. 

The  quantity  of  hay  cut  upon  the  plains  has  always  been  comp'ira- 
tively  small.  The  soil  here  has  not  sufficient  clay  in  its  composition 
to  render  it  productive  without  constant  enriching,  and  extended 
droughts,  doubtless  brought  about  by  the  destruction  of  our  forests, 
affect  the  raising  of  good  crops  upon  this  land. 

The  extensive  forests,  especially  upon  hills,  are  the  safeguard  of  the 
farmer.  The  rains  are  absorbed  and  held  through  their  agency  and 
the  freshets  are  therefore  avoided,  while  the  evaporations  take  place 
at  the  spot  where  the  rain  fell,  not  from  the  lakes  and  ocean  into  which 
the  streams,  swollen  by  freshets  pour  ;  thus  there  is  a  more  equal  dis- 
tribution of  rain  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  hills. 

It  is  a  significant  fact  that,  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  state 
which  has  less  rain  than  the  southern  and  central  portions,  the  hay 
crops  are  often  above  the  average  the  same  years  that  the  hay  croi)s 
in  the  south  are  poor  on  account  of  drought.  This  is  because  the 
northern  portions  have  extensive  forests  which  hold  the  moisture  dur- 
ing what  would  otherwise  be  periods  of  drought. 

Farm  buildings  quite  generally  are  located  upon  the  plains  and  up- 
on this  land  water  may  be  obtained  without  excavating  to  a  great 
depth,  as  there  is  a  solid  clay  formation  below  the  sand  which  insures 
a  good  and  pure  supply  of  water. 

A  mineral  spring  in  the  north  part  of  the  town  on  the  border  of 
Great  meadow  has  obtained  considerable  notoriety. 

The  large  amount  of  meadow  upon  the  Ashuelot  river,  the  South 
branch  and  numerous  brooks,  has  been  the  foundation  of  most  of  the 
farming  since  the  town'  was  settled.  Large  quantities  of  hay  are  taken 
from  these  meadows  annuall}',  without  the  application  of  manure, 
their  production  being  kept  up  by  occasional  overflowing  of  water. 
They  generally  have  a  cla^^  soil,  as  they  lie  below  the  line  which  sep- 
arates the  clay  earth  from  the  sandy  earth.  They  are  adapted  to 
high  cultivation  and  are  now  much  appreciated  for  this  purpose. 


\ 


HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 


FOREST   TREES. 

Swanze}',  to-day,  has  but  one-third  of  its  surface  covered  with  for- 
est trees.  Tliroughout  this  region  the  chestnut  was  once  a  common 
tree,  altliough  to-day  comparative!}'  scarce. 

Before  tlie  denudation  of  tlie  land  of  the  primitive  forest,  the 
white  pine  was  tlie  most  numerous  of  our  forest  trees,  growing 
everywhere,  but  particularly  adapted  to  the  plains.  This  tree  sup- 
plied the  most  excellent  timber  and  was  highly  appreciated  by  the  col- 
onists before  the  British  government  caused  tlie  broad  arrow  to  be  af- 
fixed upon  the  choicest  trees  as  a  sign  that  they  were  to  be  used  only 
for  the  King's  navy. 

Among  other  trees  of  this  group  the  Norwaj'  and  pitch  pine  were 
found  in  some  quantity  ;  tlie  first  particularly  in  the  southeastern 
corner  of  the  town. 

Hemlock  was,  next  to  the  pine,  the  most  abundant  and  was  found 
upon  the  hills  and  intervales. 

Red  oak  was  more  common  than  white,  which  was  found  more  es- 
pecially in  the  southwestern  portions.  The  first  of  these  varieties 
were  often  of  good  size. 

Upon  the  cla3'e3^  soils  the  elms  flourished  to  a  considerable  extent, 
such  a  soil  being  particularly  adapted  for  their  growth. 

Of  hard  wood  trees,  the  beech  was  most  numerous,  while  of  the 
birches,  the  white  was  the  most  common  growing  on  a  lighter  soil  than 
either  the  black  or  yellow  variet}'. 

Rock  maple  occurs  in  considerable  numbers  upon  the  intervales  and 
hills,  but  is  not  to  be  considered  as  one  of  the  principal  forest  trees. 

Although  not  so  stately  as  the  rock  maple,  the  red,  and  white,  or 
river  maple,  occur  to  some  extent,  and  the  first,  particular!}',  was  per- 
haps more  wide!}'  distributed  than  the  red  maple. 

One  of  the  trees,  once  common  in  the  central  and  western  portions 
of  the  town,  yet  rare  in  the  eastern,  was  tlie  walnut.  The  chestnut 
was  most  abundant  in  the  southwest  part. 

Much  of  the  sandy  land  of  the  town  was  congenial  to  the  growth 
of  the  poplar,  and  next  to  the  pine  and  hemlock  was  the  most  com- 
mon tree. 

The  black  and  little  red  cherry  were  common  trees,  and  to-da}-  tlie 
choke  clierry,  wliich  was  but  little  known  to  the  earl}'  settlers,  is  fast 
monopolizing  the  waysides  and  river  banks. 

Upon  the  rich  moist  upland  the  white  asli  thrived,  and  the  black  ash 
was  common  upon  the  swamps  and  meadows. 


TOPOGRAPHY.  7 

A  limited  number  of  basswood  and  butternuts  were  found  upon 
the  uplands,  and  spruces  and  buttonwood  along  the  river  bottoms  and 
swamps. 

The  growth  of  white  pine  and  grey  birch  is  increasing,  as  much  of 
the  cleared  land  has  been  abandoned  and  has  grown  up  to  brush, 
which  easily  gives  way  to  the  pine  and  birch.  The  gradual  reclothing 
of  our  hillsides  with  forest  trees  is  a  matter  of  great  satisfaction  to  all 
interested  in  the  farming  interests  of  the  state.  A  careful  and  s^'s- 
teraatic  cutting  of  timber  is  conducive  to  the  better  and  healthier 
growth  of  the  remaining  trees  and  at  the  same  time  does  not  injure 
the  source  from  which  the  profit  is  derived.  We  may  turn  to  many  of 
the  older  communities  in  Ein'ope  and  learn  much  in  this  regard  ;  for 
there  tlie  stripping  of  forests  is  expressl_y  forbidden,  3'et  no  com- 
plaints are  heard,  as  the  owaiers  realize  it  is  better  to  draw  a  small  but 
assured  income  yearly  from  the  ownership  of  their  forests  than  to  use 
the  whole  at  once  and  obtain  a  comparatively  small  amount,  besides 
destroying  the  great  storehouse  of  moisture. 

FRUITS. 

The  blackberry,  raspberry,  strawberr}''  and  blueberry  are  the  prin- 
cipal native  fruits  and  grow  extensively  upon  land  which  has  been 
burned  over  and  partially  cleared.  The  strawberry  is  most  abundant 
upon  mowing  fields  cleared  within  a  few  3-ears. 

The  blueberry  was  not  abundant  in  olden  times,  but  is  increasing 
especially  in  old,  moist  pastures  long  since  deserted  b}'  the  cattle. 

The  wild  grape  grows  upon  the  intervales  and  produces  yerj'  good 
fruit,  although  the  improvement  of  the  land  has  not  tended  to  better 
its  quality. 

WILD    ANIMALS. 

The  native  animals  that  were  known  to  the  earl^'^  settlers  and  which 
became  nearly  extinct  here  many  years  since,  were  the  wolf,  bear, 
catamount,  lynx,  beaver,  otter  and  deer.  Those  which  caused  the  in- 
habitants the  most  annoj'ance  were  the  wolf  and  bear.  It  is  not  known 
that  any  person  in  the  town  ever  suftered  personal  harm  by  either  of 
these  animals,  but  their  habits  were  known  to  be  such  that  persons 
living  in  secluded  places  or  travelling  through  forests  remote  from 
settlements,  were  in  constant  dread  of  encounterimy  them  ;  this  was 
particularly  the  case  with  women  and  children. 

The  loss  of  sheep,  caused  by  the  depredations  of  these  animals,  was 
a  constant  annoyance,  and  the  state  awarded  a  bount}^  of  six  pounds 


8  HISTORY    OF    SWANZET. 

for  the  killing  of  each  wolf,  and  in  1787  Joseph  Whitcomb,  3(1,  and 
in  1789,  Thomas  Greene  and  Jonathan  Woodcock  each  obtained  the 
reward. 

The  killing  of  wolves  was  considered  of  so  much  consequence  that 
arrangements  would  be  made  for  a  wolf  hunt  which  would  draw  out 
hundreds  of  persons,  who  would  surround  some  dense  forest,  usually 
a  swamp,  which  was  supposed  to  be  the  wolves'  haunt,  and  then  close 
in  from  all  sides  and  entrap  the  animals. 

One  of  the  noted  places  for  these  hunts  was  the  swamp  in  the 
west  part  of  what  is  now  Troy.  Some  of  these  wolf  lumts  were  made 
on  so  extensive  a  scale  as  to  surround  some  part  of  Mt.  Monad  nock. 

The  bear,  though  less  dreaded  than  the  wolf,  was  not  an  animal  for 
which  the  people  had  any  particular  affection.  Night  was  the  time 
for  Bruin  to  take  a  look  about  the  farm  houses  and  appropriate  such 
domestic  animals  as  might  have  been  left  exi)Osed  to  its  depredations. 
Incidents  have  been  related  as  having  occurred  from  apprehension  that 
a  bear  was  around  one's  dwelling  which  were  both  laughable  and  pro- 
voking ;  one  man  having  shot  in  the  dark  and  killed  a  supposed  bear 
prowling  about  his  premises,  carried  the  Qarcass  into  his  house,  only 
to  be  asked  by  a  youngster,  "  Do  bears  have  hoofs?"  The  bear  be- 
came a  black  sheep.  Another  man,  mistaking  in  the  dark  his  black 
cow  for  a  bear,  shot  and  killed  it. 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  but  few  bears  or  wolves 
have  been  seen  in  this  vicinity. 

Catamounts  were  not  often  encountered  even  b}''  the  first  settlers, 
and  when  they  were  it  was  in  some  secluded  place.  John  Whitcomb, 
1st,  and  one  of  the  Hammonds,  while  hunting  upon  Bear  hill  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town,  were  attracted  by  the  barking  of  their  dog 
to  a  place  where  tliey  found  him  in  a  deep,  dark  recess  of  a  ledge. 
In  their  anxiety  to  ascertain  what  the  dog  was  barking  at,  one  of  them 
crawled  into  the  ledge  and  soon  saw,  through  the  dark,  the  glare  of 
the  eyeballs  of  an  animal  which  he  shot  with  deadly  effect;  the  crea- 
ture, afterward  found  to  be  a  catamount,  jumped  and  caught  the  dog 
in  its  mouth,  both  d3'ing  there  together. 

Lynxes  and  wild-cats  were  never  common,  but  it  may  not  be  said 
that  they  have  become  entirely  extinct,  as  occasionally''  reports  are 
circulated  that  one  of  these  animals  has  been  seen  or  killed. 

It  is  not  probable  that  beavers  were  very  plentiful  here  when  the  town 
was  first  settled,  and  the  only  place  the  writer  has  seen  wliere  they 
lived  is  on  California  brook.  Some  of  the  old  conveyances  of  land 
upon  that  brook  make  mention  tliat  the  land  was  above  or  below  the 


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TOPOGRAPHY.  V 

beaver  dam.  It  is  probable  they  did  live  on  otlier  brooks,  but  the  fact 
is  not  authenticated. 

It  is  known  that  otters  have  lingered  about  some  of  the  waters  of 
the  town  nearly  down  to  the  present  time. 

Of  all  the  native  animals  the  deer  was  the  favorite  with  the  early 
settlers.  Its  value  for  food,  its  innocent  nature  and  its  sportive  char- 
acter made  the  people  anxious  that  it  should  not  become  extinct.  To 
protect  them  fro'm  wanton  destruction,  laws  were  made  and  deer- 
reeves  chosen  by  the  town  to  see  that  the  laws  were  enforced.  The 
effort  was  a  vain  one  and  but  few  have  been  seen  in  the  town  for  the 
last  ninety  years. 

The  fox,  woodchuck,  skunk,  hedgehog,  raccoon,  rabbit,  musk-rat, 
mink,  the  grey,  red,  striped  and  flying  squirrel  are  here  and  most  of 
them  quite  as  plentiful  as  they  were  in  former  j'ears. 

BIRDS. 

The  migration  of  flocks  of  wild  geese  going  north  in  the  spring  and 
south  in  the  fall  is  occasionally  seen  at  the  [tresent  time,  but  their  num- 
ber has  been  diminisliing  from  year  to  year.  It  is  not  known  that 
they  ever  had  their  haunts  here  during  summer. 

The  wild  turkey  was  a  vakiable  bird  in  early. times.  Considerable 
numbers  of  them  once  lived  where  they  could  feed  upon  nuts  and  have 
the  south  side  of  a  hill  for  their  haunt  in  the  winter.  It  was  nearly 
a  hundred  years  from  the  time  the  town  was  settled  before  they  be- 
came entirely  extinct. 

The  two  birds  which  have  furnished  the  principal  sport  for  the  gun- 
ner are  the  pigeon  and  partridge.  The  pigeons  come  north  in  the 
spring  in  flocks  and  return  south  in  the  fall.  After  their  advent  in 
the  spring  they  separate  into  pairs  and  are  found  during  summer  more 
generally  in  dense  forests  than  elsewhere.  Late  in  the  summer  they 
begin  to  congregate  into  flocks.  Fifty  years  ago  they  were  so  num- 
erous that  some  men  did  quite  a  business  in  catching  them  with  nets. 
They  were  attracted  to  particular  places  by  having  grain  fed  to  them 
upon  beds,  and  while  eating  a  net  was  sprung  over  them.  Often  a 
number  of  dozens  were  caught  at  a  time.  Tlieir  numbers  have  been 
constantly  diminishing.  Partridges  are  much  hunted,  but  they  do  not 
appear  to  decrease. 

Robins,  swallows,  martins,  wrens  and  whip-poor-wills  are  a  privi- 
leged class  of  birds.  Seldom  have  they  been  destroyed  by  the  most 
reckless  bo_y.  Robins  in  the  fields  and  swallows  about  tlie  barn  are 
more  plentiful  than  in  early  years.     Very  few  cages  at  farmhouses  are 


10  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

now  provided  for  martins  and  wrens,  as  their  numbers  have  been  con- 
stantl}'  decreasing.  Wliip-poor-wills  are  likely  to  flock  here  in  large 
numbers  for  a  summer  abode,  and  their  peculiar  notes  will  continue 
to  be  heard  morning  and  evening. 

Crows  and  hawks  have  maintained  their  existence  ngainst  all  efforts 
for  their  destruction.  Tlie  depredations  of  crows  in  the  corn  fields 
and  of  the  hawks  in  the  poultry  yards  have  made  them  the  farmers' 
hated  birds  ;  although  a  decrease  in  the  number  of  the  latter  have 
made  them  less  annoying  than  formerly. 

Our  meadows  still  resound  with  the  music  of  the  bobolinks  and  the 
woods  with  that  of  the  brown  thrasher. 

Wild  ducks,  fish  hawks,  eagles,  owls,  cranes,  snipes  and  loons  have 
all  had  their  haunts  here,  but  their  numbers  have  been  too  limited  to 
afford  sportsmen  more  than  an  occasional  opportunity  to  capture 
them. 

FISH. 

Before  dams  were  constructed  on  the  Connecticut  and  Ashuelot  riv- 
ers, salmon,  shad  and  lamprey  eels  frequented  the  large  streams  of 
the  town  in  such  numbers  that  they  constituted  an  important  article  of 
food.  Of  the  other  fish,  trout  was  the  most  valuable  during  the  early 
j-ears  of  the  settlement.  The  South  branch  and  some  of  the  large 
brooks  once  contained  many  large  trout.  Refuse  from  mills  has  made 
the  water  uncongenial  to  this  fish.  In  some  streams,  anglers  have 
not  been  slow  in  their  efforts  to  capture  the  shiniug  beauties;  con- 
sequentl}'  but  few  trout  of  good  size  are  to  be  found  in  an}'  of  the 
streams  in  the  town.  Small-sized  trout  are  still  quite  numerous  in 
some  of  the  small  brooks.  No  great  change  has  taken  place  in  the 
size  or  number  of  the  other  native  fishes. 

SNAKES. 

Of  the  snakes  it  is  supposed  that  the  black  snake  is  the  only  one 
that  made  its  advent  here  since  the  town  was  settled.  Quite  a  sensa- 
tion was  created  some  sixty  years  ago  by  a  report  that  a  black  snake 
had  been  seen  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town.  Since  then  they 
have  been  increasing  and  are  now  quite  common. 

One  of  the  anno3'ances  to  the  inhabitants  in  earl}'  times  was  the  flea. 
The  primitive  houses  and  their  surroundings  afforded  means  for  their 
propagation  in  large  numbers,  and  their  bite  was  a  torment  espec- 
ially to  children.  In  recent  years  people  have  suflfered  but  little  from 
them. 


CHAPTER    II. 

Tlie  Indians  of  the  Connecticut  and  Ashuelot  Valleys. 


Indian  wigwams  and  Relics — Statements  of  Blake  and  Wheelock— Im- 

PLEAIEXTS  at    SaXD    BaNK— INDIAN    DaM— FUENCH  AND  INDIAN     RaIDS  AT 
SWANZEY,  KEKNE,    WlNCHESTEK,  HiNSDALE,    NORTHFIELD,  ClIARLESTOWN 

AND  Putney — Men,  Women  and  Children  captured,  scalped  and  mur- 
dered—Towns ABANDONED — MuSTER  ROLL  AT  FORTS. 

THE  name  of  the  tribe  of  ludians  formerly  inhabiting  the  Ashue- 
lot valley  was  Squakheag.  The  territory  occupied  by  the  tribe 
extended  northward  to  the  headwaters  of  the  Ashuelot  river,  eastward 
to  Mount  IMonadnock,  south  to  Miller's  river,  and  several  miles  west  of 
the  Connecticut  river.  This  territory  was  abandoned  by  the  Indians 
several  years  before  it  was  granted  by  Massachusetts  to  the  first  white 
proprietors.  It  is  not  known  that  there  is  any  deed  in  existence  by 
which  the  Indians  conveyed  away  these  lands,  neither  is  it  known  that 
they  ever  complained  of  having  their  possessions  here  wrongfully  taken 
from  them.  It  is  not  definitely  known  where  the  Indians  went  when 
they  left  here,  but  probably  they  mingled  with  those  higher  up  on  the 
Connecticut  river,  or  went  to  the  St.  Francis'  tribe  in  Canada.  This 
tribe  claimed  the  territory  in  the  northern  part  of  New  Hampshire  and 
Vermont.  They  had  numerous  settlements  in  different  parts  of  their 
territory,  usually  near  the  banks  ofthe  larger  streams,  in  locations  fa- 
vorable for  hunting  and  fishing,  raising  corn  and  pumpkins.  The 
wiowam  was  the  Indians'  habitation.  Its  common  form  was  circular, 
made  of  sticks  stuck  in  the  ground,  converging  at  the  top,  and  leav- 
ing an  aperture  for  the  escape  of  smoke.  Two  low  openings  on  op- 
posite sides  answered  for  doors.  Boughs  of  trees  and  turf  served  for 
its  covering,  and  skins  of  animals  and  mats  for  most  of  its  furniture. 
The  Indians  lived  mostly  on  nuts,  corn,  pumpkins,  the  flesh  of  an- 
imals and  fish.  They  had  kettles  made  of  soapstone  in  which  they 
boiled  vegetables,  and  other  utensils  that  held  water  and  were  used 
in  cooking.     Hot  stones  were  placed  in  vessels  of  water  to  heat  it. 

(11) 


12  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

They  used  a  kind  of  spit  for  cooking  large  pieces  of  meat.  Fish  were 
cooked  just  as  they  were  taken  from  the  Avater ;  birds  were  phieked  but 
not  otherwise  dressed ;  small  animals  were  roasted  whole  and  eaten 
Avithout  having  their  entrails  taken  out.  Corn  was  pounded  into  coarse 
meal  and  made  into  samp ;  it  was  sometimes  parched  and  pounded  line, 
mixed  with  suet  and  made  into  balls  and  called  nokake.  rumpkins 
were  cut  into  strips  and  dried  in  the  sun.  They  smoked  and  dried  fish 
to  preserve  them.  They  were  expert  in  killing  game  with  arrows,  and 
capturing  it  with  traps  and  yauk-ups.  To  kill  the  trees  and  burn 
the  brush  where  they  wished  to  raise  their  corn  and  pumpkins,  fire 
was  relied  upon,  as  but  a  small  part  of  the  Indians'  time  was  em- 
ployed in  cultivating  land ;  they  naturally  incline  to  live  by  hunting 
and  fishing. 

That  there  was  once  a  large  settlement  of  Indians  at  the  Sand  Bank, 
on  the  southeast  side  of  Ashuelot  river  near  Sawyer's  Crossing,  is  too 
evident  to  be  doubted.  Traces  of  an  irregular  fortification  inclosing 
several  acres  of  ground  still  exist.  It  must  have  been  here  that  large 
quantities  of  implements  were  made  for  hunting  and  fishing.  Frag- 
ments of  hard  white  quartz,  which  were  broken  from  the  rocks  from 
which  they  made  their  implements,  are  now  to  be  seen  in  the  sand. 
These  relics  were  once  too  common  to  induce  people  to  preserve  them, 
and  but  few  have  been  collected  and  they  are  in  possession  of  Swanzey 
people.  The  drifting  sand  Avill  soon  obliterate  and  hide  from  our  view 
all  these  mementos  of  the  race  of  people  that  once  roamed  over  these 
plains  where  we  noAv  securely  dAvell. 

Messrs.  Geo.  A.  Wheelock,  Hiram  Blake  and  F.  K.  Pratt  of  Keene 
have  taken  mucli  interest  in  collecting  and  preserving  these  Indian 
relics.  Mr.  Blake  has  furnished  the  compiler  with  a  schedule  of  these 
remains  found  at  the  Sand  Bank,  among  which  are  the  following  : — 

A  stone  pestle,  fourteen  and  one-half  inches  long,  avcU  finished  from 
a  hard  grey  stone  ;  a  chisel,  six  inches  long,  well  finished;  a  small 
gouge  three  and  one-half  inches  long,  well  finished;  an  unfinished 
gouge  five  and  one-half  inches  long,  roughly  Avorked  into  shape ;  a 
collection  of  ten  arrowheads  made  of  quartz  and  flint,  A'arying  from 
one  inch  to  three  inches  in  length,  some  of  Avhicli  are  very  fine 
specimens,  seA^eral  are  broken  at  the  points  but  most  are  perfect ; 
a  A'ery  fine  small  quartz  arroAvhead ;  three  arroAvheads  made  of  the 
same  stone  as  the  chippings  or  fragments  Avhich  are  still  found  lying 
about  on  the  Sand  Bank — these  fragments  excepting  the  quartz,  are 
of  a  stone  foreign  to  this  part  of  the  country ;  numerous  specimens 
or  pieces  of  Indian  pottery,  some  of  Avhich  show  evidence  of  orna- 
mentation. 


INDIANS.  13 

Ou  the  farm  of  Jonas  L.  Moore  were  found,  by  Mr.  Pratt,  a  little 
below  the  Sand  Bank,  a  large  flint  spearhead  and  four  flint  arrow- 
heads of  peculiar  shape.  On  Asa  Smith's  farm  a  spearhead  four  and 
one-half  inches  long,  the  top  part  broken  off ;  also  an  arrowhead 
with  shank  broken,  made  of  flint. 

An  arrowhead  of  jasper,  very  fine,  found  by  Benjamin  Whitcomb 
on  his  farm  at  West  Swanzey. 

A  few  years  ago  as  Charles  L.  Ball  was  ploughing  on  the  side  hill 
south  of  his  house  about  five  rods  from  the  river  his  plough  came 
in  contact  with  what  proved  to  be  a  human  skull  and  exposed  it  in 
the  furrow,  and  also  twenty-four  teeth,  and  on  further  examination  of 
the  ground  he  ascertained  that  a  grave  had  been  made  in  the  sand 
about  two  and  a  half  feet  long,  two  feet  wide  and  two  feet  deep  when 
made,  and  was  probably  deeper  as  the  surface  appeared  to  have  been 
washed  or  worn  away  :  In  the  west  end  and  facing  the  east,  in  a  sit- 
ting posture  was  the  skeleton  of  a  human  body ;  the  hands,  arms, 
chest,  limbs,  spinal  column  and  feet,  all,  when  the  earth  was  removed 
settled  in  a  mass,  and  was  probably  that  of  an  Indian  girl  from  fifteen 
to  twenty  years  of  age  as  determined  by  the  size  of  the  frame  and  po- 
sition of  the  wisdom  teeth.     The  sex  was  determined  by  hip  bones  and 
pelvis  and  the  absence  of  such  relics  and  implements  in  the  grave  as 
are   usually  buried  with  the   opposite  sex.      He  also   found  in  the 
same  land,  arrowheads  and  two  hatchets.     The  grave  was  in  clear, 
white  sand,  and  that  the  sand  had  been  moved  only  within  the  limits 
of  the  grave,  was  distinctly  to  be  seen.     Near  the  river  bank  were 
some  twenty  places  of  from  two  and  a  half  to  three  feet  in  diameter 
where  fires  seemed  to  have  been  kept  burning  for  an  indefinite  period 
of  time,  and,  from  the  surroundings  and  the  situation  it  was  an  Indi- 
an camping  ground  for  the  winter. 

Mr.  Blake  says  : — "  The  sand  bank,  so  called,  is  evidently  the  site 
of  an  Indian  village,  and  bears  strong  evidence  of  having  been  forti- 
fied. A  dark  line  of  earth  mixed  with  ashes  and  charcoal  extends 
nearly  around  an  enclosure  of  several  acres.  This  may  have  been  the 
line  of  a  palisade  or  row  of  stakes  stuck  in  the  ground  for  the  purpose 
of  defence.  The  sand  has  drifted  so  much  of  late  years  that  the  line 
is  very  indistinct  or  nearl}'  gone.  Old  residents  of  the  locality  state 
that  when  they  were  boys  Indian  relics  were  readily  picked  up  on  the 
spot,  but  few  of  them  were  preserved.  The  large  quantity  of  chip- 
pings  now  found  there  as  well  as  occasional  pieces  of  pottery,  indi- 
cate that  these  implements  of  war  and  domestic  economy  were  made 
on  the  spot,  and  that  for  a  time  it  was  a  permanent  stopping  place  for 
the  Indians." 


14  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Mr.  Pratt  states  that  he  dug  up,  near  this  dark  line  of  earth  above 
mentioned,  a  clay  vessel  nearly  entire,  but  that  it  soon  crumbled  in 
pieces  when  exposed  to  the  aiv.  Mr.  Wheelock  published  in  1888, 
in  the  Neiv  Evglavd  Observer,  the  following  descri])tion  of  the  Indian 
dam  which  is  in  the  Ashuclot  river  bet^^•«en  the  Sand  Bank  and  West 
bwanzey  : 

"  The  low  water  in  the  Aslnielot,  occasioned  by  the  repairs  at  the 
Swanzey  mill  has  exposed  the  old  traditional  Indian  dam  two  miles 
above.  Indians  were  lazy,  and  this  work  of  theirs  is  the  more  sur- 
prising on  this  account ;  perhaps  there  is  nothing  like  it  in  the  state. 
The  river  at  this  point  is  now  almost  a  rapid  and  strewn  with  boulders 
for  thirty  rods  or  so.  It  is  less  than  a  hundred  feet  wide,  but  the  dam 
being  in  the  shape  of  a  harroAv  pointing  down  stream  is  more  than  that 
distance.  By  skilful  stepping  it  is  possible  to  pass  the  point  of  the 
harrow,  the  apex  of  the  dam,  and  somewhat  farther.  It  is  made  of 
stones  such  as  a  man  could  lift,  picked  up  in  the  stream  above.  It 
varies  from  six  to  tvvelve  feet  in  thickness,  according  to  the  deptli  of 
water.  It  looks  like  a  tumbled  down  wall  mixed  with  gravel,  but  it 
must  have  cost  weeks  of  labor.  It  is  natural  to  suppose  that  the  dam 
was  made  to  aid  in  fishing  for  salmon  ydih  nets  and  spears.  Below 
the  dam  is  aflat  boulder  reached  by  stepping  stones.  Here  stood  the 
young  brave  and  watched  the  silver-bellied  salmon,  and  struck  at  him 
with  his  flint-pointed  spear.  Near  by  the  old  dam  lives  Jonas  L. 
Moore.  Here  lived  his  father  and  grandfather  before  him.  For  one 
hundred  and  thirty  years  this  has  been  called  the  Indian  dam.  Mr. 
Moore's  father,  in  his  bo3^hood,  used  to  cross  the  river  on  the  wall. 
The  reason  it  is  now  so  unknown  is  because  the  eel  grass  in  the  back 
water  of  the  pond  covers  and  conceals  it.  The  Observer's  represen- 
tative was  shown  a  beautiful  spearpoint  of  Twin  mountain  flint.  The 
elder  Moore  dug  up  a  half  peck  of  arrow  and  spearheads,  all  in  one 
pocket.  They  were  carelessly  left  on  a  stump  and  lost  years  ago. 
Some  twenty  Indian  fire-places  have  been  ploughed  up  here.  These 
were  simply  circles  in  the  middle  of  the  wigwam,  paved  with  stones 
from  the  river.  The  Swanzey  Antiquarian  Society  should  have  a  draw- 
ing of  this  dam  showing  the  two  eastern  wings  and  tlie  boulder." 

How  much  of  tlie  land  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Sand  Bank  had  been 
subject  to  the  rude  cultivation  practised  by  the  Indians  is  not  known. 
The  fact  that  the  first  proprietors  of  Swanzey  directed  their  attention 
to  the  meadow  land  on  the  Asliuelot  above  the  Sand  Bank  and  to  tlie 
north  part  of  the  meadow  on  the  South  Branch,  indicates  that  those 
meadows  were  found  to  be  in  condition  to  be  easily  brought  under  cul- 
tivation. 


INDIANS.  15 

The  year  1745  found  settlements  in  Swanzey,  Keene,  Winchester, 
Hinsdale,  Putney  and  Charlestown.  The  settlement  in  most  of  these 
towns  commenced  about  ten  years  previous  to  this  time.  They  had 
now  a  small  population  of  hardy,  industrious  people.  Meeting  houses 
had  been  built  in  Keene  and  Winchester  and  a  schoolhouse  in  Swan- 
zey. Churches  had  been  formed  in  Swanzey,  Keene  and  Winchester, 
and  ministers  settled.  Roads  had  been  constructed  between  some  of 
the  towns,  and  in  most  of  the  towns  a  saw  mill  and  a  grist  mill  had 
been  built.  Much  land  had  been  cleared  and  numerous  houses  built. 
As  already  stated  the  Indians  had  left  the  locality  before  these  settle- 
ments commenced  and  gave  the  settlers  no  trouble  during  these  first 
few  years.  England  and  France  were  at  war  in  1745,  and  the  war  was 
transmitted  to  their  colonies  in  America. 

The  St.  Francis  Indians  instigated  by  the  government  of  Canada, 
and  with  the  Squakheags  for  allies,  commenced  the  work  of  burning 
buildings,  capturing,  scalping  and  murdering  the  people  of  the  Eng- 
lish colonies. 

March  26,  1745.  The  Indians  burned  the  house  of  Rev.  Timothy 
Harrington,  of  Swanzey.  The  house  stood  upon  Meeting  House  Hill 
(on  the  Carpenter  farm). 

July  5.  Two  Indians  took  William  Phips  of  Putney  as  he  was  hoe- 
ing corn.  Wlien  they  had  carried  him  half  a  mile  one  of  them  went 
down  a  steep  hill  to  fetch  something  which  had  been  left.  In  his  ab- 
sence Phips,  with  his  hoe,  knocked  down  the  Indian  who  was  with 
him,  and  then  seizing  the  Indian's  gun  shot  the  other  as  he  ascended 
the  hill.  Phips  was  subsequently  killed  by  three  other  Indians.  The 
Indian  whom  Phips  knocked  down  with  his  hoe  died  of  his  wound. 

July  10.  Deacon  Josiah  Fisher  of  Keene  was  killed  as  he  was  driv- 
ing his  cow  to  pasture.  He  was  found  dead  and  scalped  in  the  road, 
near  where  the  Lamson  block  now  stands  on  Main  street. 

Oct.  12.  The  garrison  at  Putney  was  attacked  by  French  and  Indians. 
It  was  defended  with  so  much  bravery  that  they  failed  to  capture  it. 
The  Indians  had  one  of  their  number  killed.  At  the  time  the  fort  was 
attacked  Nehemiah  How  was  cutting  wood  about  eighty  rods  from  the 
fort.  He  was  discovered  and  captured  and  no  attempt  was  made  for 
his  rescue.  As  the  enemy  were  leading  How  up  the  West  bank  of  Con- 
necticut river  David  Rugg  and  Robert  Baker  were  discovered  crossing 
the  river  in  a  canoe.  They  were  fired  upon  and  Rugg  was  killed ; 
Baker  made  for  the  opposite  shore  and  escaped.  Rugg  was  scalped  and 
the  scalp  was  placed  on  the  top  of  a  long  pole  and  carried  through 
Charlestown  to  Crown  Point  in  triumph.     How,  the  prisoner,  was 


16  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

carried  to  Quebec  where  he  died  in  prison.     At  the  time  How  was 
captured  the  enemy  killed  some  of  the  cattle  and  drove  some  away. 

April  19,  1746.  A  partj^of  about  forty  French  and  Indians,  under 
command  of  Ensign  De  Neverville,  appeared  at  Charlestown  and  cap- 
tured Capt.  John  Spofford,  Lieut.  Isaac  Parker  and  Steven  Farns- 
worth.  Captain  Spofford  had  built  a  saw  mill  and  a  grist  mill  two 
years  previous.  He  with  the  other  men  had  been  to  the  mill  for  boards 
with  four  oxen.  As  they  were  returning  they  were  ambushed,  cap- 
tured and  taken  to  Canada.  After  some  time  they  were  permitted  to 
return  to  Boston  under  a  flag  of  truce.  Capt.  Spofford's  mills  were 
burned,  the  oxen  killed,  and  their  tongues  cut  out. 

April  23.  A  numerous  band  of  Indians  made  their  appearance  in 
Iveene.  They  were  discovered  by  Ephraim  Dorman  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, in  what  was  then  a  swamp  east  of  the  settlement.  Mr.  Dorman 
was  out  looking  for  his  cow.  He  immediately  gave  an  alarm  by  crying, 
Indians  !  Indians  !  and  ran  for  the  fort.  Two  Indians,  who  were  con- 
cealed in  bushes  between  him  and  the  fort,  sprang  forward,  aimed  their 
pieces  at  him  and  fired,  neither  hitting  him.  Throwing  away  their 
arms,  they  then  endeavored  to  capture  him.  Mr.  Dorman,  being  a 
strong  man,  knocked  one  of  them  senseless ;  with  the  other  he  had  a 
sharp  contest,  stripped  him  of  his  blanket,  leaving  him  nearly  naked. 
He  made  his  escape  and  reached  the  fort  in  safety. 

Most  of  the  people  were  in  the  fort  when  the  alarm  was  given ;  some 
were  out  attending  to  their  cattle.  Those  who  were  out  and  in  hear- 
ing distance  rushed  for  the  fort.  A  Mrs.  Kinney  had  gone  to  a  barn 
to  milk  her  cow.  She  was  aged  and  corpulent,  and  could  walk  only 
slowly.  Before  she  reached  the  fort  she  was  fatally  stabbed  in  the 
back.  John  Bullard  was  at  his  barn.  He  endeavored  to  reach  the 
fort,  but  was  fatally  shot  in  the  back  just  before  he  reached  it.  He 
was  carried  in  and  expired  in  a  few  hours.  A  Mrs.  Clark  was  at  a 
barn  about  fifty  rods  from  the  fort.  As  she  started  for  it,  an  Indian 
undertook  to  capture  her.  She  gathered  her  clothes  about  her  waist, 
and  ran  pursued  by  the  Indian,  who  threw  away  his  gun  that  he  might 
outrun  her.  She,  animated  by  the  cheers  of  her  friends,  outran  him 
and  reached  the  fort  in  safety. 

Nathan  Blake  was  at  his  barn ;  hearing  the  cry  of  Indians,  and  pre- 
suming that  his  barn  would  be  burned,  he  determined  that  his  cattle 
should  not  be  burned  with  it.  Throwing  open  his  stable  door,  he  let 
them  loose.  Considering  that  his  retreat  to  the  fort  was  cut  off,  he 
went  out  at  a  back  door,  intending  to  secrete  himself  at  the  only  place 
where  the  river  could  be  crossed.     He  had  gone  but  a  few  steps  when 


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a 


INDIANS.  17 

be  was  hailed  by  a  party  of  Indians  concealed  in  a  shop  between  him 
and  the  street.  Looking  back  he  saw  several  guns  pointed  at  him,  and 
at  this  instant  several  Indians  started  up  from  their  place  of  conceal- 
ment near  him.  Feeling  himself  in  their  power  he  gave  himself  up. 
They  shook  hands  with  him,  and  to  the  remark  he  made  that  he  had 
not  yet  breakfasted,  they  smilingly  replied  that  it  must  bte  a  poor  Eng- 
lishman who  could  not  go  to  Canada  without  his  breakfast. 

Mr.  Blake  was  pinioned  and  conducted  by  an  Indian  into  the  woods 
and  started  for  Canada.  At  Montreal  he,  with  another  person  by  the 
name  of  Warren,  was  compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet.  Warren  re- 
ceived a  blow  in  the  face  for  which  he  knocked  down  the  Indian  who 
gave  it.  For  this  he  was  assaulted  by  several  Indians  who  beat  him 
unmercifully,  by  which  he  was  made  a  cripple  for  life.  Blake  ex- 
hibited more  patience  and  fortitude  and  received  no  considerable  in- 
jury. He  was  then  conducted  to  Quebec,  and  from  there  to  an  Indian 
village  several  miles  north. 

Mr.  Blake  was  a  strong,  athletic  man.  He  could  run  with  great 
speed,  and  was  put  to  many  tricks  with  Indians  whom  he  beat.  To  have 
him  beaten,  a  celebrated  Indian  runner  was  procured  to  run  against 
him.  At  the  time  the  race  was  to  be  run  the  whole  tribe  assembled. 
A  Frenchman  from  Quebec  was  present,  and,  seeing  the  excitement, 
advised  Blake  to  let  the  Indian  beat,  intimating. that  fatal  consequences 
might  ensue  if  he  did  not.  Blake  acted  upon  the  Frenchman's  advice 
and  permitted  his  antagonist  to  reach  the  goal  a  moment  before  him. 

In  1747,  a  Frenchman  by  the  name  of  Raimbut  was  taken  prisoner 
in  Winchester.  He  held  the  rank  of  lieutenant.  He  was  anxious  to 
return  to  Canada.  Considering  his  rank  he  agreed  that  if  he  could 
be  taken  to  Canada  he  would  procure  the  release  of  Blake  and  a 
prisoner  by  the  name  of  Allen  who  was  captured  at  Deerfield,  Mass. 
To  carry  the  arrangement  into  effect  the  governor  of  IVIassachusetts 
sent  in  February,  1748,  John  Hawks,  Matthews  Clesson  and  John 
Taylor,  accompanied  by  Raimbout  to  Canada,  under  a  flng  of  truce. 
The  party  went  on  snow  shoes,  and  carried  their  provisions  on  their 
backs.     They  returned  with  Blake  and  Allen  about  the  first  of  May. 

Mr.  Blake  had  married  Elizabeth,  a  daughter  of  Abraham  Graves 
of  Swanzey,  in  1741.  She  sent  money  by  the  men  to  buy  the  ransom 
of  her  husband  if  the  negotiations  failed. 

The  number  of  Indians  in  the  party  that  made  the  attack  upon  Keene 

at  the  time  of  Blake's  capture  was  estimated  at  about  a  hundred.  They 

skulked  around  all  sides  of  the  fort  during  the  forenoon  and  fired 

whenever  they  supposed  their  shot  might  be  effectual.     Whenever  an 

2 


18  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

Indian  was  seen  by  those  in  the  fort  he  was  fired  at,  and  a  number  of 
them  were  seen  to  fall.  It  was  supposed  that  as  many  as  ten  were 
killed,  and  their  bodies  consumed  in  a  building  which  they  burned.  The 
Indians  did  not  immediately  leave  the  vicinity  of  the  fort.  Some 
three  days  after  their  first  appearance  they  killed  a  number  of  cattle 
in  the  meadow,  southeast  of  the  fort. 

When  the  attack  was  made  upon  Keene  the  firing  was  heard  at  the 
fort  in  Swauzey,  the  commander  of  which  sent  an  express  immediately 
to  Winchester,  with  the  information  that  the  Indians  had  made  an  at- 
tack upon  Keene.  From  Winchester  the  information  was  expressed 
from  fort  to  fort  to  Colonel  Pomroy,  the  military  commander  at  North- 
ampton. Colonel  Pomroy,  at  the  head  of  the  military  forces  at  that 
place,  immediately  started,  and  adding  to  his  force  as  he  proceeded  by 
pressing  horses  and  men  into  his  service,  he  arrived  at  Keene  with 
four  hundred  or  five  hundred  men  in  a  little  more  than  forty-eiglit 
hours  from  the  time  the  express  left  Swanzey,  the  distance  down  and 
back  being  at  least  ninety  miles. 

The  military  force  after  scouring  the  woods  in  the  vicinity  only  found 
where  the  Indians  encamped  east  of  Beech  hill. 

May  2.  At  Charlestown,  some  women  went  to  do  their  accustomed 
milking  where  the  cows  were  kept,  attended  by  a  guard  of  soldiers. 
Plight  Indians  who  had  concealed  themselves  to  await  their  arrival, 
fired  and  killed  Seth  Putnam.  As  the  Indians  were  scalping  him  the 
soldiers  fired  and  mortally  wounded  two  of  them,  whom  their  com- 
panions carried  off. 

May  6.  Deacon  Timothy  Brown  and  a  soldier  by  the  name  of  Robert 
Maft"ett  left  the  fort  in  Swanzey  to  go  to  Keene.  They  were  waylaid 
by  a  party  of  Indians  that  had  been  lying  about  the  fort  and  captured. 
They  were  carried  to  Canada  but  subsequently  released.  Maffett  be- 
longed to  Lunenburg,  Mass.,  and  was  doing  garrison  duty  at  Swan- 
zey.   He  shot  and  broke  the  Indian  chief's  arm  before  he  surrendered. 

At  the  same  time  that  Brown  and  Maffett  were  taken,  a  party  lay 
around  the  fort  at  Keene  watching  for  an  opportunity  to  plunder  or 
take  prisoners.  One  night  the  watch  thought  he  heard  some  one  try- 
ing the  strength  of  the  picket  gate,  when  he  fired.  In  the  morning 
beads  and  blood  were  seen  at  the  place  where  the  fire  was  directed. 

Massachusetts  sent  additional  forces  for  the  protection  of  these 
frontier  New  Hampshire  towns,  as  no  protection  was  being  rendered 
them  by  the  latter  province.  Captain  Paine  went  with  a  force  for  the 
defence  of  Charlestown.  About  twenty  of  his  soldiers  went  to  view 
the  place  where  Putnam  had  been  killed  a  few  days  previous.  A  party 


INDIANS.  19 

of  Indians  lying  in  ambush  fired  upon  them  and  then  endeavored  to 
cut  off  their  retreat  to  the  fort.  Captain  Stevens  with  a  party  rushed 
out  for  their  assistance.  In  the  conflict  that  ensued  five  were  killed 
on  each  side,  and  the  Indians  took  one  prisoner.  They  retreated  leav- 
ing some  of  their  guns  and  blankets.  This  conflict  occurred  about 
May  24,  1746. 

About  a  month  later  another  conflict  was  had  at  the  same  place. 
Captain  Stevens  and  Captain  Brown  went  into  the  meadow  to  look 
for  their  horses.  Their  dogs  gave  indications  that  Indians  were  am- 
bushed for  them,  when  they  put  themselves  into  position  and  gave  the 
first  fire.  After  a  short  encounter  the  Indians  wese  driven  into  a 
SAvamp  taking  with  them  several  of  their  number  who  had  been  killed. 
They  left,  when  they  retreated,  guns,  spears,  hatchets  and  blankets. 
Captain  Stevens  and  Captain  Brown  lost  but  one  of  their  men. 

June  24.  Some  twenty  Indians  attaol^ed  a  number  of  men  who  were 
at  work  in  a  meadow  near  Bridgman's  fort,  Hinsdale.  They  killed 
William  Robins  and  Jonas  Barker,  captured  Daniel  How  and  John 
Beaman,  wounded  Michael  Gilson  and  Patrick  Ray. 

July  24.  Colonel  Willard  and  a  guard  of  twenty  men  went  with  a 
team  from  Fort  Dummer  to  Hinsdale's  mill  and  when  near  the  mill 
were  ambushed.  None  of  Colonel  Willard's  men  were  killed  or  cap- 
tured.    One  man  was  wounded. 

Aug.  3.  The  enemy  appeared  again  near  the  fort  at  Charlestown. 
Dogs  were  kept  at  the  fort  and  they  gave  the  first  intimation  to  those 
within  of  the  presence  of  the  enemy  by  barking  and  by  actions  pecu- 
liar to  them  when  Indians  were  in  the  vicinity.  Captain  Stevens,  the 
commander,  in  order  to  satisfy  himself  that  an  enemy  was  in  the  vi- 
cinity, sent  out  scouts.  The  men  were  scarcely  out  of  the  fort  when 
they  were  fired  upon,  and  Ebenezer  Phillips  killed.  He  was  so  near 
the  fort  that  a  soldier  crept  carefull}'  out  at  night  and  fastened  a  rope 
to  him  when  he  was  drawn  in  and  buried.  No  other  one  of  the  scouts 
was  injured.  The  enemy,  after  they  were  discovered,  put  forth  every 
effort  to  take  the  garrison.  They  fired  their  muskets  against  the  walls 
and  made  other  demonstrations  in  Indian  fashion  to  effect  their  ob- 
ject. They  hung  around  the  fort  two  days,  and  burned  all  the  build- 
ings outside  except  one.  Of  the  buildings  burned  were  the  mills  that 
Captain  Spofford  was  rebuilding  Avhere  his  had  been  previously  burned. 
Before  they  left  they  killed  most  of  the  horses,  cattle  and  hogs.  A 
company  of  troops  from  Massachusetts  was  stationed  at  the  fort  at 
the  time  and  sixteen  of  their  horses  were  killed. 

Aug.  6.    Winchester  was  visited  by  thirty  of  these  Indians.    A  num- 


20  HISTORY    OF    SAVANZEY. 

ber  of  men  were  passing  in  a  road  near  which  the  Indians  had  con- 
cealed themselves,  when  the  latter  fired  and  killed  Joseph  Rawson  and 
wounded  Amasa  Wright. 

Oct.  22.    Jonathan  Sartwell  was  captured  near  Fort  Hinsdale. 

The  year  1746  must  have  been  one  of  extreme  peril  to  these  frontier 
towns.  The  settlers  were  few  and  widely  scattered.  Cultivation  of 
their  land  was  their  main  dependence  for  support.  To  go  outside  the 
forts  to  labor  upon  their  farms  was  at  all  times  extremely  dangerous. 
The  Indians  were  constantly  moving  from  place  to  place.  After  they 
had  inflicted  some  outrage  upon  the  inhabitants  of  one  place,  off  they 
would  go  to  anotiJier  settlement,  and  the  first  intimation  of  their  com- 
ing would  be  the  capture  or  killing  of  some  unsuspecting  person. 

Late  in  tlie  j^ear  Massachusetts  appears  to  have  decided  not  to  con- 
tinue her  military  protection  to  these  New  Hampshire  towns,  and  the 
forces  which  she  had  kept  at  Charlestown  were  withdrawn  and  after- 
wards the  settlement  was  abandoned. 

The  settlements  at  Keene  and  Swauzey  were  continued  through  the 
winter  and  it  is  not  known  that  they  were  disturbed. 

To  show  the  condition  of  the  New  Hampshire  towns  in  the  Ashue- 
lot  and  Connecticut  vallej'S,  we  will  quote  tlie  following  from  Rev.  H. 
P.  Saunderson's  history  of  Charlestown.  "During  the  winter,  1846- 
47,  the  Indians  were  so  ice-bound  in  Canada,  that  the  frontiers  suffered 
only  in  apprehension,  as  no  incursions  were  made  upon  them.  In  this 
interval,  some  gentlemen  who  had  the  wisdom  to  perceive  that  the  pro- 
tection of  the  Connecticut  river  settlements  was  required  by  the  true 
interests  of  the  country,  fortunately  prevailed  on  the  assembly  of 
Massachusetts  to  make  the  needful  provision  for  the  defence  of  the 
forts  and  garrisons  which  in  consequence  of  the  withdrawal  of  her 
troops  had  been  deserted.  They,  moreover,  sought  to  convince  them, 
that  this  would  require  not  only  a  sufficiency  of  men  to  afford  garri- 
sons for  the  places  that  would  be  able  to  resist  such  assaults  as  would 
be  likely  to  be  made  upon  them,  but  also  an  equal  additional  force  to 
range  the  woods  and  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  and  prevent 
their  depredations,  by  anticipating  their  designs,  and  by  suddenly  fall- 
ing upon  and  surprising  them  in  their  encampments,  when  they  had 
not  the  least  expectation  of  an  assault ;  thus  practising  upon  them 
their  own  tactics. 

The  prime  mover  in  this  matter,  we  have  reason  to  believe,  was 
Captain  Stevens;  who,  by  the  promptness  and  wisdom  with  which 
he  had  acted,  had  already  gained  no  inconsiderable  influence  with  the 
government.     He  had  personally  addressed  a  memorial  to  Governor 


INDIANS.  21 

Shirley,  setting  forth  his  views  of  the  situation,  from  which  the  fol- 
lowing is  an  extract :  '  No.  4  is  situated  upon  Connecticut  river, 
about  45  miles  above  Northfield ;  on  which  place  (No.  4)  the  enemy 
have  continually  endeavored  to  do  spoil ;  and  many  great  advantages 
have  been  lost  for  want  of  a  suitable  number  of  soldiers  at  that 
garrison.  Fort  Massachusetts,  that  was,  is  situated  about  34  miles 
from  Deerfield,  and  is  the  proper  road  of  an  enemy  coming  upon  our 
frontiers  when  they  come  by  Wood  Creek  and  the  drowned  lands,  as 
No.  4  is  when  they  come  by  Otter  Creek.  Now  it  appears  to  me  if 
one  hundred  men  were  early  sent  to  each  of  these  posts,  say  by  the 
latter  end  of  March,  and  suitable  encouragement  was  given  to  them 
to  go  and  waylay  the  streams  the  enemy  come  upon  when  they  issue 
out  from  Crown  Point,  they  might  be  very  much  discouraged  in  com- 
ing in  small  parties  as  heretofore  :  which  in  my  opinion  will  be  of  the 
greatest  service  to  the  public  and  the  only  effectual  method  to  carry 
on  the  war.  If  anything  be  done  it  should  be  done  early  ii;  the 
Spring,  as  it  is  evident  from  past  experience  that  this  enemy  will  be 
down  by  the  first  of  April.  There  is  one  thing  which  I  have  observed 
while  among  the  Indians  ;  they  are  a  people  which  are  greatly  elated 
and  flushed  up  when  they  have  success  and  as  soon  discouraged  when 
they  are  disappointed.' 

In  their  endeavours,  these  gentlemen,  with  Captain  Stevens  at  their 
head,  were  only  partially  successful;  for  the  assembl\%  at  this  time, 
could  be  induced  to  go  no  further  than  to  detail  such  a  number  of  men 
for  garrisoning  the  forts  as,  in  their  estimation,  would  be  sufficient  to 
repel  the  enemy  in  case  of  attack ;  and  the  subject  of  taking  the  of- 
fensive was  postponed,  for  some  future  consideration. 

This  being  the  state  of  affairs,  in  the  latter  part  of  March,  1747, 
Capt.  Phinehas  Stevens,  with  thirty  men,  was  ordered  by  Governor 
Shirley  to  march  to  No.  4  and  take  possession. 

This  post,  for  more  than  two  months,  had  been  entirely  deserted 
and  fears  were  entertained  that,  in  case  it  should  be  left  longer,  it 
would  either  be  burned  or  taken  by  the  enemy.  The  movement  was 
timely,  and  in  every  respect  most  fortunate.  Stevens  marched  through 
the  wilderness  and  arrived  at  No.  4  on  the  27th  of  March,  to  find  the 
fort  in  good  condition ;  but  what  was  his  surprise,  on  entering  it  to 
find  himself  and  company  heartily  welcomed  by  an  old  spaniel  and  a 
cat,  which  had  been  left  behind  at  its  desertion,  and  had  remained  in 
it  during  the  winter,  as  its  sole  defenders  and  occupants. 

Captain  Stevens  and  company  had  been  in  possession  of  the  fort 
only  a  few  days  before  they  were  led  to  surmise  the  presence  of  an 


22  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

eneni}'.     Their  suspicious  were  first  aroused  by  the  uueas}"  appearance 
of  the  clogs,  and  their  continued  barking.    These  indications  of  some- 
thing that  was  not  right  indirced  them  to  keep  the  gate  closely  barred. 
But  here  we  must  let  Captain  Stevens  tell  his  own  story.     In  his  re- 
port to  Governor  Shirley,  dated  April  9,  1747,  he  says,  'Our  dogs 
being  very  much  disturbed,  which  gave  us  reason  to  think  that  the 
enemy  were  about,  occasioned  us  not  to  open  the  gate  at  the  usual 
time  ;  but  one  of  our  men  being  desirous  to  know  the  certainty,  ven- 
tured out  privately  to  set  on  the  dogs,  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing ;  and  went  about  twenty  rods  from  the  fort  firing  off  his  gun  and 
saj'ing,  chobo}',  to  the  dogs.     Whereupon,  the  enemy,  being  within  a 
few  rods,  immediately  arose  from  behind  a  log  and  fired  ;  but  through 
the  goodness  of  God,  the  man  got  into  the  fort  with  only  a  slight 
wound.     The  enemy  being  then  discovered,  immediately  arose  from 
their  anibushments  and  attacked  us  on  all  sides.    The  wind  being  vei-y 
high,  and  every  thing  exceedingly  dry,  they  set  fire  to  all  the  old 
fences  and  also  to  a  log  house  about  forty  rods  distant  from  the  fort 
to   the  windward  ;    so   that  within  a  few  minutes  we  were  entirely 
surrounded  with  fire  all  which  was  performed  with  the  most  hideous 
shouting  and  firing,  from  all  quarters  which  they  continued,  in  a  very 
terrible  manner,  until  the  next  day  at  ten  o'clock  at  night,  without  in- 
termission ;  during  which  time  we  had  no  opportunity  to  eat  or  sleep. 
But   notwithstanding  all  their  shouting  and  threatenings,  our   men 
seemed  not  to  be  in  the  least  daunted,  but  fought  with  great  resolu- 
tion ;  which  doubtless,  gave  the  enemy  reason  to  think  we  had  deter- 
mined to  stand  it  out  to  the  last  degree.     The  enemy  had  provided 
themselves  with  a  sort  of  fortification  which  they  had  determined  to 
push  before  them  and  bring  fuel  to  the  side  of  the  fort,  in  order  to 
burn  it  down.     But  instead  of  performing  what  they  threatened,  and 
seemed  to  be  immediately  going  to  undertake,  tlie}^  called  to  us  and 
desired  a  cessation  of  arms  until  sunrise  the  next  morning  which  was 
granted ;  at  which  time  they  would  come  to  a  parley.     Accordingly 
the  French  General  Debeline  came  with  about  sixty  of  his  men,  with 
a  flag  of  truce,  and  stuck  it  down  within  about  twenty  rods  of  the 
fort  in  plain  sight  of  the  same,  and  said  if  we  would  send  three  men 
to  him  he  would  send  as  maii}^  to  us  to  which  we  complied.    The  Gen- 
eral sent  in  a  French  lieutenant  with  a  French  soldier  and  an  Indian. 
Upon  our  men  going  to  Monsieur,  he  made  the  following  proposal ; 
viz. : — that  in  case  we  would  immediately  resign  up  the  fort,  we  should 
all  have  our  lives  and  liberty  to  put  on  all  the  clothes  we  had,  and 
also  to  take  a  sutlicient  quantity  of  provisions  to  carry  us  to  Mon- 


INDIANS.  23 

treal,  and  bind  up  our  provisions  and  blankets,  lay  down  our  arms 
and  march  out  of  the  fort. 

Upon  our  men  returning,  he  desired  that  the  Captain  of  the  fort 
would  meet  him  half  way,  and  give  an  answer  to  the  above  proposal, 
which  I  did ;  and  upon  meeting  the  Monsieur  he  did  not  wait  for  me 
to  give  an  answer,  but  went  on  in  the  following  manner,  viz.  : — that 
what  had  been  promised  he  was  ready  to  perform  ;  but  upon  refusal 
he  would  immediately  set  the  fort  on  fire,  and  run  over  the  top ;  for 
he  had  seven  hundred  men  with  him,  and  if  we  made  any  further  re- 
sistance or  should  happen  to  kill  one  Indian,  we  might  expect  all  to 
be  put  to  the  sword.  'The  fort,'  said  he,  'I  am  resolved  to  have,  or  die. 
Now  do  what  you  please ;  for  I  am  as  easy  to  have  j^ou  fight  as  to 
give  up.'  I  told  the  General,  that  in  case  of  extremity  his  proposal 
would  do ;  but  inasmuch  as  I  was  sent  here  by  my  master,  the  Cap- 
tain General,  to  defend  the  fort,  it  would  not  be  consistent  with  my 
orders  to  give  it  up  unless  I  was  better  satisfied  that  he  was  able  to 
perform  what  he  had  threatened  ;  and,  furthermore,  I  told  him  that  it 
was  poor  encouragement  to  resign  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  that 
upon  one  of  their  number  being  killed,  they  would  put  all  to  the 
sword,  when  it  was  probable  that  we  had  killed  some  of  them  already. 
'  Well,'  said  he,  '  go  into  the  fort,  and  see  whether  your  men  dare 
fight  any  more  or  not,  and  give  me  an  answer  quick,  for  my  men  want 
to  be  fighting.'  Whereupon,  I  came  into  thie  fort  and  called  all  the 
men  together,  and  informed  them  what  the  French  General  said :  and 
then  put  it  to  vote  which  they  chose,  either  to  fight  on  or  resign ;  and 
they  voted  to  a  man  to  stand  it  out  as  long  as  they  had  life.  Upon 
this,  I  returned  the  answer  that  we  were  determined  to  fight  it  out. 
Upon  which  they  gave  a  shout,  and  then  fired  and  so  continued  firing 
and  shouting  until  daylight  the  next  morning. 

About  noon  they  called  to  us  and  said  ' good  morning,'  and  desiied 
a  cessation  of  arms  for  two  hours"  that  they  might  come  to  a  parley ; 
which  was  granted.  The  General  did  not  come  himself  but  sent  two 
Indians,  who  came  within  about  eight  rods  of  the  fort  and  stuck  down 
their  flag  and  desired  that  I  would  send  out  two  men  to  them,  which 
I  did  and  the  Indians  made  the  following  proposal,  viz.  :— That  in 
case  we  would  sell  them  provisions,  they  would  leave  and  not  fight 
any  more ;  and  desired  my  answer,  which  was,  that  selling  them  pro- 
visions for  money  was  contrary  to  the  laws  of  nations  ;  but  if  they 
would  send  in  a  captive  for  every  five  bushels  of  corn  I  would  supply  . 
them.  Upon  the  Indians  returning  the  General  gave  this  answer,  four 
or  five  guns  were  fired  against  the  fort,  and  they  withdrew,  as  we  sup- 
posed, for  we  heard  no  more  of  them.' 


24  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Captain  Stevens  in  writing  to  anotlier  person  about  this  affair  says  : 
'  Those  who  were  not  emploj'cd  in  firing  at  the  enemy  were  employed 
in  digging  trenches  under  the  bottom  of  the  fort.  We  dug  no  less  than 
eleven  of  them,  so  deep  that  a  man  could  go  and  stand  upright  on  the 
outside  and  not  endanger  himself ;  so  that  when  these  trenches  were 
finished  we  could  wet  all  the  outside  of  the  fort,  which  we  did  and 
kept  it  wet  all  night.  We  drew  some  hundreds  of  barrels  of  water, 
and  to  undergo  all  this  hard  service  there  were  but  thirty  men.  The 
enemy  never  had  the  courage  to  bring  their  fortification  nor  run  over 
the  fort  but  in  lieu  thereof,  spent  the  night  in  shooting  their  fiery  ar- 
rows, which  were  easily  put  out. 

lu  all  this  time  w'e  had  scarce  opportunity'  to  eat  or  sleep.  The 
cessation  of  arms  gave  us  no  matter  of  rest,  for  we  suspected  they 
did  it  to  obtain  advantage  against  us.  1  believe  men  were  never 
known  to  hold  out  with  better  resolution,  for  they  did  not  seem  to  sit 
or  lie  still  one  moment.  There  w^ere  but  thirty  men  in  the  fort,  and 
although  we  had  some  thousands  of  guns  fired  at  us,  there  were  but 
two  men  slightly  wounded. 

By  the  above  account  you  may  form  some  idea  of  the  distressed 
circumstances  we  were  under,  to  have  such  an  army  of  starved  crea- 
tures around  us,  whose  necessity  obliged  them  to  be  the  more  earnest. 
They  seemed  everj^  minute  as  if  they  Avere  going  to  swallow  us  up ; 
using  all  the  threatening  language  they  could  invent,  with  shouting 
and  firing  as  if  the  heavens  and  the  earth  were  coming  together. 

But  notwithstanding  all  this,  our  courage  held  out  to  the  last.  We 
were  informed  by  the  French  that  came  into  the  fort,  that  our  cap- 
tives were  removed  from  Quebec  to  Montreal ;  which,  they  say,  are 
about  three  hundred  in  number  by  reason  of  sickness  which  is  at  Que- 
bec, and  that  they  were  well  and  in  good  health,  except  three  who 
were  left  sick,  and  that  about  three  captives  had  died  who  were  said 
to  be  Dutchmen.  They  also  informed  us  that  John  Norton  had  lib- 
erty to  preach  to  the  captives,  and  that  they  have  some  thousands  of 
French  and  Indians  out  and  coming  against  our  frontier.' 

The  mortification  of  Debeline  in  his  failure  to  take  the  fort  must 
have  been  extreme  but,  though  baffled  iu  the  attack  on  No.  4  he  did 
not  return  with  his  forces  immediately  to  Canada,  but,  dividing  them 
into  small  parties,  sent  them  out  to  hover  around  various  places  on 
the  frontier.  A  small  number  of  them  very  soon  after  ventured  to  re- 
turn and  encamp  secretly  near  the  river  at  no  great  distance  from 
the  fort  from  which  they  had  been  so  summarily  repulsed. 

But  Captain  Stevens  observing  a  smoke,  from  which  lie  was  led  to 
think  that  all  was  not  right,  went  out  after  them  and  they  precipitately 


INDIANS.  25 

retreated.  Other  parties  of  them  hovered  about  Northfield,  Winches- 
ter and  Upper  Ashuelot,  but  they  had  been  tauglit  too  severe  a  lesson 
at  No.  4,  to  allow  them  to  return  to  its  vicinity." 

April  15,  1747.  A  party  of  Indians,  or  French  and  Indians,  from 
up  the  Connecticut  river,  made  a  sudden  descent  upon  Northfield, 
killed  and  scalped  Nathaniel  Dickinson  and  Asahel  Burt  as  they  were 
driving  up  cows  just  after  sunset. 

This  party  during  the  night  of  the  15th  started  for  Winchester, 
SAvanzey  and  Keene,  and  burned  the  three  towns  which  had  been  aban- 
doned a  few  days  before.  It  is  probable  the  inhabitants  had  learned 
before  they  left  that  the  French  and  Indian  forces  had  attacked 
Charlestown,  and  as  no  military  forces  had  been  provided  to  garrison 
the  forts  in  these  towns  they  resolved  to  abandon  them  immediately. 
The  annals  of  Keene  contain  the  following: — "The  inhabitants  re- 
mained in  the  fort  until  March  or  April,  1747.  About  that  time  they 
passed  an  informal  vote  releasing  Mr.  Bacon,  their  minister,  from  all 
his  obligations  to  them,  hnd  resolved  to  abandon  the  settlement,  which 
resolution  was  immediately  executed.  Soon  after  a  party  of  Indians 
visited  the  place  and  burnt  all  the  buildings  except  the  mill  on  Beaver 
brook,  and  the  house  in  which  the  miller  had  resided." 

It  is  traditional  that  the  inhabitants  of  Swanzey  left  very  suddenly; 
They  preserved  some  articles  that  they  could  not  well  take  away  by 
burying  them.  A  revered  bible  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  Belding 
family  that  was  saved  by  being  buried  under  a  brass  kettle.  The 
statement  has  been  made  that  in  one  instance  a  babe  was  left  in  its 
cradle  and  was  rescued  in  the  night. 

One  can  well  imagine  what  must  have  been  the  feelings  of  the  men, 
women  and  children  as  they  left  the  settlement.  The  men's  feelings 
alternated  between  sadness  and  hopefulness  ;  they  were  sad  when  they 
thought  of  the  homes  they  were  leaving  which  were  the  result  of  years 
of  hard  labor ;  they  were  joyous  when  they  thought  that  they  should 
succeed  in  saving  their  families  from  the  horrors  of  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  savages.  The  women  thought  more  about  the  safety  of 
their  children  than  the  homes  they  were  leaving.  The  children  felt  a 
degree  of  mirthfulness  when  they  were  inspired  bj'  the  thought  that 
they  were  soon  to  see  their  grandfathers  and  grandmothers,  uncles  and 
aunts,  at  the  old  Massachusetts  homes,  about  which  they  had  heard 
their  parents  talk. 

It  is  evident  that  some  of  the  men  returned  to  the  settlement  during 
the  summer  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  some  income  from  their  land. 
Between  these  men  and  the  Indians  there  was  some  skirmishing  in 


26  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

August,  but  without  fatal  results.     The  Indians  succeeded  in  killing 
some  cattle. 

Oct.  16,  Major  Willard,  Capt.  Alexander  and  others  went  from  here 
to  Northfield,  and  when  passing  through  Winchester  they  met  a  French- 
man Coming  towards  them.  When  he  saw  the  party  he  jumped  behind 
a  tree.  Capt.  Alexander,  being  foremost,  shot  and  wounded  him  in  the, 
breast,  which  wound  was  sui)posed  to  be  mortal.  The  party,  presum- 
ing that  Indians  were  near,  immediately  left.  He  was  found  by  the 
Indians,  but  they  left  him,  fearing  that  they  would  be  pursued.  He 
revived,  and  after  a  fcAv  days  went  to  Northfield  and  delivered  himself 
a  prisoner  to  Capt.  Alexander. 

Oct.  22.  Capt.  Bridgman's  fort,  house  and  barn  at  Hinsdale  were 
burned  and  Jonathan  Sawtle  captured. 

Nov.  14.  Twelve  men  left  the  garrison  at  Charlestown  to  go  to  places 
below.  They  had  gone  but  half  a  mile  when  they  were  waylaid  and 
Nathan  Gould  and  Thomas  Goodale  killed  and  scalped,  Oliver  Avery 
was  wounded  and  John  Henderson  captured. 

Active  military  operations  closed  in  November  and  the  forts  in  New 
Hampshire  were  garrisoned  by  soldiers  provided  by  Massachusetts. 
During  the  winter  Capt.  Phiuehas  Stevens'had  a  company  of  sixty  men 
at  Charlestown,  and  Capt.  Josiah  Willard,  jr.,  had  a  company  of  twen- 
ty-six men  at  Ashuelots.  Of  Capt.  Willard's  men  Thomas  Cresson, 
Thomas  Cresson,  jr.,  William  Grimes,  Asahel  Graves,  James  Heaton, 
Samuel  Heaton  and  William  Heaton  had  been  residents  of  Lower  Ash- 
uelot  before  the  place  was  burned. 

In  the  year  1748  soldiers  were  early  provided  for  the  different  posts, 
and  companies  were  enlisted  as  rangers  to  be  employed  in  scouting  the 
trails  which  the  euemy  were  accustomed  to  take  when  they  made  their 
raids  upon  the  settlements.  We  insert  the  following  muster-roll  of 
the  company  stationed  at  the  Ashuelots  (Upper  and  Lower). 

Roll  of  Capt.  Josiah  Willard,  jr.'s  Co.  at  Ashuelots,  Feb.  10 

TO  Oct.  26,   1748. 

Capt.  Josiah  Willard,  jr.,  Jos.  Richardson, 

Lieut.  William  Syms,  William  Hunt, 

Sergt.  Thomas  Taylor,  Thomas  Thoyets, 

Sergt.  William  Smead,  John  Evens, 

Clerk  Jeremiah  Hall,  James  Burt, 

Corp.  Thomas  Cresson,  Jeremiah  Butler, 

Corp.  Benoni  Wright,  Robert  Tyler, 

Timothy  Fletcher,  Samuel  Hall, 

John  Ellis,  William  HiU, 


IMDIANS. 


27 


Wm.  BickfoTd, 
Euben  Walker, 
Jona.  French, 
Daniel  How,  jr., 
Ebenezer  Fletcher, 
Robert  Ewers, 
John  Edgeliill, 
John  llobert, 
Aaron  Ward, 
John  Frost, 
Benj.  Barrett, 
Samuel  Hoflinton, 
Henry  Chandler, 
Thomas  Crissou,  jr., 
Nath'l  Fairbanks, 
Jethro  Wheeler, 
James  Jewell, 
Hezekiah  Elmer, 
Samuel  Hill, 
David  Nims, 
David  Bacon, 
Wm.  Blanchard, 
Matthew  Wyman, 


James  Billing, 
Simeon  Green, 
Nathaniel  Hills, 
Asahel  Graves, 
Benj  a.  Nichols, 
Thomas  Robbins, 
Josiah  Crosby, 
Joseph  Barron, 
Wm.  Livingston, 
Benj.  Hoagg, 
Henry  Stevens, 
Joel  Johnson, 
Elijah  Holton, 
Jonas  Holton, 
Isaac  Rice, 
James  Eaton, 
John  Scott, 
Andrew  Allard, 
Eliph.  Coi'bin, 
John  Henry, 
Benjamin  Osgood, 
Jona.  Lawrence,  jr. 
John  Pullard. 


The  meu  for  this  companj^had  been  procured  partly  by  enlistments, 
Massachusetts  had  offered  a  bounty  of  £5  for  a  year's  service,  A 
number  of  the  men  had  been  impressed.  These  had  come  mostly 
from  Middlesex  county,  Mass,  Many  of  the  enlisted  were  New  Hamp- 
shire men  who  had  lived  in  some  of  the  settlements  before  the  war 
commenced, 

March  29,  Moses  Cooper,  Lieut.  Sargent  and  son,  Joshua  Wells 
and  one  other  man  went  about  a  mile  from  Fort  Dummer  for  timber. 
They  were  attacked  by  some  twelve  Indians.  Cooper  was  mortally 
wounded  the  first  fire,  but  made  his  escape  to  the  fort,  where  he  died 
the  next  night.  The  others  fought"  on  a  retreat.  Wells  was  soon 
killed.  Sargent  and  son  continued  to  fight,  but  the  father  was  killed 
and  the  sou  captured. 

Additional  soldiers  had  been  furnished  by  Massachusetts  to  Capt. 
Stevens  at  Charlestown  in  the  spring,  so  that  his  command  consisted 
of  a  hundred  meu.  He  sent  eighteen  of  his  men  under  Capt.  Melviu 
to  scout  as  far  as  Lake  Champlain.  After  they  reached  this  point  they 
were  discovered  by  the  enemy  and  commenced  a  retreat.  They  were 
intercepted  by  the  enemy  which  got  in  their  front.  Melviu  eluded 
them  and  succeeded  in  reaching  West  river  some  thirty  or  forty  miles 
northwest  of  Fort  Dummer  when  he  was  again  intercepted.     A  disas- 


28  HISTORY   OF    SWA^'ZEY. 

trous  fight  ensued.     Six  of  Mclviu's  men  were  killed.     The  rest  suc- 
ceeded in  reaching  Fort  Dummer  at  different  times. 

June  16.  A  squad  of  twelve  of  Capt.  Willard's  men  left  the  Ashue- 
lots  for  Fort  Dummer  by  Avay  of  Hinsdale's  fort  having  witli  them 
two  rangers.  They  were  ambushed  by  a  large  party  of  Indians  between 
the  two  forts.  Three  were  killed  and  scalped,  viz.,  Joseph  Richard- 
son, John  P'rost  and  Jonathan  French,  all  of  Billerica,  Mass.  ;  seven 
were  taken  prisoners,  one  of  whom,  Wm.  Bickford,  was  killed  where 
the  Indians  camped  the  first  night.  Four  escaped  across  the  river  to 
Fort  Dummer,  one  of  whom  was  a  ranger  who  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  thigh.  The  prisoners  at  the  first  camping  place  were  stripped 
of  their  arms  and  most  of  their  clothing.  They  reached  Canada  about 
the  first  of  July.  Most  of  them  were  made  to  run  the  gauntlet.  They 
returned  in  the  fall  feeble  and  emaciated.  One  of  them  died  soon  af- 
ter his  return  from  the  effect  of  abuse.  The  prisoners  were  Mark  Per- 
kins, Concord;  Matthew  Wymau,  Dorchester;  Benjamin  Osgood, 
liillerica ;  Wm.  Blanchard,  Dunstable  ;  Henry  fetevens,  Chelmsford  ; 
Joel  Johnson,  Woburn. 

Capt.  Humphrey  Hobbs  was  stationed  at  Charlestown  with  a  com- 
panj^  of  rangers.  He  started  June  24,  in  a  southwest  direction  with 
forty  men  to  scout  the  country  between  Charlestown  and  Fort  Shirley. 
The  second  day  after  leaving  Charlestown  and  while  eating  tlieir 
lunch  at  noon,  tlie  sentinel  in  his  rear  discovered  the  enemy  approach- 
ing. Hobbs  ordered  his  men  each  to  take  a  tree  for  cover.  The 
Indians  rushed  forward  with  a  shout  and  were  received  with  a  well 
directed  fire  and  several  fell.  The  Indians  were  led  by  a  half-blood 
by  the  name  of  Sackett  and  he  had  a  much  larger  number  of  men  than 
Hobbs.  The  two  leaders  were  well  acquainted  and  Sackett  could  speak 
English.  Sackett  called  to  Hobbs  to  surrender.  Hol^bs  dared  liim 
to  come  and  take  his  men.  After  four  houi-s  of  fighting,  fortunately 
Sackett  was  Avouuded,  when  the  enemy  withdrew  taking  willi  them 
their  dead  and  wounded.  Hobbs  had  three  men  killed  and  four 
wounded.  He  reached  Fort  Dummer  in  tlie  afternoon  of  the  next 
day  with  his  company  and  wounded  men.  The  battle  was  fought 
about  twelve  miles  west  of  Fort  Dummer. 

July  3.  A  party  of  Indians  killed  eleven  cattle  at  Aslmelots  and 
carried  off  the  meat. 

Sergt  Taylor  and  six  privates  of  Capt.  Willard's  company  at  tlie 
Ashuelots  went  down  to  Northfield  for  ten  recruits  to  take  the  i)lace 
of  those  lost  in  the  encounter  of  June  \G.  July  14,  Taylor  started 
from  Northfield  for  the  Ashuelots  by  way  of  Hinsdale's  fort  and  Fort 


INDIANS.  29 

Dummer  with  his  six  soldiers  tiiid  ten  recruits.  When  within  aljout 
a  mile  of  Fort  Dummer  they  were  attacked  by  a  large  number  of  In- 
dians under  command  of  a  French  otHcer.  They  Avere  attacked  in 
front  and  in  their  rear.  Asahel  Graves  of  Lower  Ashuelot  and  Henry 
Chandler  of  Westford,  Mass.,  were  killed,  stripped  of  their  clothing  and 
arms  and  then  scalped.  Two  escaped  across  the  river  to  Fort  Dum- 
mer, two  got  back  to  Hinsdale's  fort  and  eleven  were  captured.  Two 
of  the  captives,  Joseph  Rose  of  Northfleld  and  James  Billings  of  Con- 
cord were  severely  wounded.  After  going  about  a  mile  the  Indians 
knocked  the  wounded  prisoners  on  the  head  with  war-clubs.  Sergt. 
Taylor  was  one  of  the  captives.  He  subsequently  resided  in  Hinsdale. 
Thomas  Cressou,  jr.,  a  captive,  belonged  to  Lower  Ashuelot.  The 
other  captives  were  Daniel  Farmer,  Groton  ;  Jona.  LaAvrence,  Littleton  ; 
Daniel  How,  jr.,  Rutland  ;  John  JCdghill,  Framiugham  ;  Reuben  Walker, 
Chelmsford  ;  John  Henry,  Concord  ;  Ephraim  Powers,  Littleton.  The 
prisonei's  were  taken  to  Canada  by  the  way  of  West  river,  Otter  creek 
and  Crown  Point.  In  travelling  the  Indians  made  frequent  halts  and 
went  about  twenty  miles  a  day.  The  prisoners  w'ere  sold  to  the  French 
who  retained  tbem  until  September. 

The  French  officer  above  referred  to  was  ordered  by  the  French 
governor  at  Montreal  "  to  go  to  war  upon  the  territories  of  New  Eng- 
land,  with  a  party  of  twenty-six  Canadians  and  eighty  Indians."  The 
Northfleld  historian  narrates  the  following: — "'Sieur  Raimbault,  who 
had  lately  returned  from  a  successful  raid,  was  attached  to  this  party, 
and  as  will  appear,  was  of  great  service  in  selecting  the  right  place 
for  an  ambuscade. 

The  equipment  of  the  savages  was  as  follows: — 80  muskets;  80 
breech-clouts  ;  80  pairs  of  mittens  ;  100  deer  skins  ;  8  pounds  of  ver- 
milion ;  80  wood-cutters  knives ;  80  pounds  of  poAvder ;  80  pounds 
of  ball ;  80  pounds  of  lead  shot ;  80  collars  for  carrying ;  80  awls ; 
80  tomahawks  ;  400  flints  ;  80  powd'er  horns  ;  100  needles  ;  3  pounds 
of  thread  ;  80  war- clubs  ;  8  axes  ;  4  pairs  of  scissors  ;  80  pounds  of 
tobacco;  8  iron  cooking  pots;  8  canoes;  and  13  days  provisions. 
This  force  made  directly  for  the  Connecticut  valley  and  took  a  posi- 
tion on  the  highlands  to  the  eastward  of  Fort  Dummer." 

Mr.  Cresson  used  to  say  that  the  flrst  meal  offered  him  after  reach- 
ing an  Indian  settlement  was  broth  made  from  an  old  sow  that  had 
received  no  other  dressing  than  the  burning  off  of  the  bristles.  He 
was  almost  starved,  but  he  could  not  eat  the  broth. 

The  raids  of  the  French  and  Indians  were  so  far  checked  by  formid- 
able military  operations,  that  there  was  comparative  quiet  the  last  part 
of  1748.  The  settlers  were  not  disturbed  when  doiuii'  their  harvestino-. 


30  IIISTOKY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Peace  was  made  between  England  and  France  the  last  of  the  year, 
but  this  did  not  wholly  restrain  the  Indians  from  committing  some 
atrocities  on  the  frontier  in  1749.  Their  appearance  at  Charlestown 
and  Hinsdale  caused  general  alarm.  ISoldieis  were  immediately  raised 
to  garrison  different  forts.  Ten  Avere  sent  to  the  Ashuelots.  A  com- 
pany of  fifty  six  men,  commanded  by  Capt.  John  Catlin  of  Deerfield, 
was  mustered  July  13,  1749,  and  discharged  Oct.  12.  This  company 
was  stationed  at  Northfield  half  the  time  and  at  the  Ashuelots  the 
other  half. 

"A  Dark  Time. — These  were  dark  days  to  our  people  on  the  fron- 
tier. The  attacks  made  in  such  rapid  succession,  and  the  signs  dis- 
covered on  all  sides  showed  that  the  Indians  were  abroad  in  great 
force.  The  full  foliage  of  the  underbrush  gave  them  secure  cover ; 
and  their  uniform  success  gave  them  courage.  And  they  had  learned 
the  .peculiar  tactics  of  each  of  our  captains  and  commanders  of  forts. 
They  knew  where  to  look  for  carelessness,  and  recklessness,  and  cow- 
ardice, and  want  of  foresight.  They  knew  the  condition  of  each  gar- 
rison, and  when  they  set  an  ambush,  they  knew  whether  a  relief  party 
might  be  expected  promptly  or  tardily." 

Of  all  the  prominent  men  who  had  been  engaged  in  protecting  the 
settlements  in  New  Hampshire  on  the  Connecticut  and  Ashuelot  riv- 
ers during  this  dark  period  was  Col.  Josiah  Willard,  the  leading  man 
in  the  settlement  of  Winchester.  He  was  in  command  of  the  garri- 
son at  Fort  Dummer,  and  his  son,  Josiah  Willard,  jr.,  at  the  Ashuelots. 
He  was  commissary  for  his  own  garrison,  for  suppl3nng  that  at  No. 
4  and  those  at  the  Ashuelots.  When  the  government  of  Massachu- 
setts failed  to  provide  him  with  funds  he  fell  back  upon  his  own  re- 
sources. At  one  time  he  had  advanced  the  large  sum  of  ten  thousand 
pounds.  In  writing  to  the  governor  of  Massachusetts,  April  5,  1748, 
he  said  "I  have  but  six  hundred  pounds  Province  money  in  my  hands 
to  supply  No.  4  for  six  months  past,  and  to  supply  No.  4,  the  Ash- 
uelots and  Fort  Dummer  for  the  future." 

It  was  probably  for  obtaining  supplies  at  Fort  Dummer  that  the 
two  squads  from  the  Ashuelot  garrisons  undertook  to  go  to  Fort  Dum- 
mer; the  lirst,  June  IG,  1748;  the  second  July  14,  1748,  and  which 
was  attended  with  such  disastrous  results. 

Fort  Dummer  was  on  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  River  and  in 
what  is  now  the  southeast  corner  of  Brattleborough.  Hinsdale's  fort 
was  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  and  in  Hinsdale. 

The  writer's  father  was  well  acquainted  with  some  of  the  men  whose 
residence  in  Lower  Ashuelot  had  given  them  a  knowledge  of  the  im- 
portant events  of  this  Indian  and  French  war.     The  father  obtained 


INDIANS.  31 

the  statement  that  two  men  made  their  escape  at  one  of  the  battles 
and  came  through  during  the  following  night  to  the  Ashuelots.  They 
did  not  come  together  although  they  were  much  of  the  time  in  hearing 
of  each  other  and  each  was  often  alarmed  by  the  other  and  secret- 
ed himself,  fearing  that  he  was  in  danger  of  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  ememy. 

It  has  been  generally  understood  that  after  the  Ashuelots  were 
abandoned  in  the  spring  of  1747,  nothing  was  done  here  to  rebuild  or 
to  occupy  the  land  until  after  the  close  of  the  Old  French  and  Indian 
War.  This  can  hardly  be  accepted  as  probable  from  the  preceding 
narrative  of  events.  Soldiers  were  kept  or  sent  here  when  danger 
was  apprehended.  That  soldiers  were  stationed  here  makes  it  quite 
certain  that  some  of  the  forts  had  been  rebuilt.  To  have  kept  garri- 
sons here  must  have  been  to  protect  the  men  who  had  returned  to  re- 
build and  prosecute  their  farming  operations.  It  is  not  likely  that 
the  men  generally  had  their  families  with  them.  Many  of  the  men 
may  have  done  the  duty  of  soldiers  and  labored  for  themselves  at  the 
same  time. 

The  forts  were  built  generally  of  square  hewed  timber  and  built  in 
a  square  form,  often  nearly  or  quite  two  hundred  feet  on  a  side.  This 
gave  room  for  a  number  of  houses  inside. 

The  years  of  1750-51-52  and  53  were  years  of  peace.  In  1754 
England  and  France  were  again  engaged  in  war.  The  first  place  at 
which  the  Indians  commenced  their  work  about  here  was  at  Charles- 
town.  Early  in  the  morning  August  29,  1754,  they  captured  James 
Johnson  and  his  wife,  three  children,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Johnson  aged 
about  fifteen  and  two  men.  The  attack  was  made  before  the  family 
had  risen  and  they  were  all  carried  off  to  Canada  without  being  op- 
posed. A  daughter  was  born  to  Mrs.  Johnson  the  next  daj'^  after 
she  was  captured,  and  it  was  named  Captive.  The  party  in  charo;e  of 
the  captives  stopped  one  day  on  Mrs.  Johnson's  account.  They  then 
carried  heron  a  litter  at  first,  and  afterwards  a  horse  was  provided  for 
her  to  ride.  To  provide  food,  the  horse  was  killed  and  the  child  was 
nourished  by  sucking  pieces  of  its  flesh.  Mrs.  Johnson  and  two  of 
her  daughters  and  her  sister  obtained  liberty  to  return  in  eighteen 
months.  The  eldest  daughter  was  retained  in  a  nunnery.  It  was 
three  years  when  Mr.  Johnson  and  a  son  returned. 

A  letter  from  Major  Benjamin  Bellows  of  Walpole  to  Colonel 
Blanchard  written  two  days  after  the  attack  at  Charlestown,  vividly  pic- 
tures the  sufferings  of  the  settlers.  He  says  ''The  people  are  in  great 
distress  all  down  the  River  and  at  Keene  and  at  Swanzey." 

Lt.  Col.  Josiah  Willard,  also  writing  at  the  same  time  to  Col.  B. 


32  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

aud  Gov.  Weutwortli,  implores  them  '■'to  help  a  poor  distressed  peo- 
ple, for  almost  every  man  is  upon  the  move  in  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try. 1  have  had  no  sleep  these  three  nights."  "We  have  persuaded 
the  Bigger  part  of  the  People  to  tarry  a  little  while  and  see  if  we  can 
have  some  help."  "  We  also  this  day  received  intelligence  that  two 
women  and  three  children  belonging  to  Swauzey  are  missing,  which 
after  diligent  search  made,  not  being  found,  are  supposed  to  be  taken; 
and  by  the  discoveries  that  are  made,  we  are  afraid  of  being  invaded 
on  every  quarter." 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  settlements  about  here  were  disturbed 
during  the  fall  of  1754. 

In  1755  Bridgman's  fort  at  Hinsdale  was  occupied  by  Caleb  IIow, 
Hilkiah  Grout  and  Benjamin  Garfield  with  their  families.  In  the 
morning  of  June  27,  the  three  men  aud  two  boys  of  Mr.  How  went 
to  work  in  the  meadow  above  the  fort.  They  started  to  return  about 
sunset.  Mr.  How  was  on  horseback  and  had  with  him  his  two  boys 
and  was  ahead  of  the  other  two  men.  They  were  fired  upon  by  a 
concealed  ambush  and  How  brought  to  the  ground  from  a  wound  in 
one  of  his  thighs.  He  was  immediately  ^scalped  by  the  Indians,  had 
a  hatchet  struck  into  his  head  and  left  for  dead.  He  was  found  the 
next  morning  and  still  alive,  but  soon  died.  The  boys  were  captured. 
The  other  men  attempted  to  escape  by  crossing  the  river,  when  Gar- 
field was  drowned,  but  Grout  escaped.  The  Indians  went  to  the  fort 
and  obtained  admittance  by  the  wives,  they  supposing  their  husbands 
had  returned  from  work.  The  Indians  had  learned  the  proper  signal 
for  gaining  admittance  to  the  fort  by  watching  secretly  those  that 
entered.  The  three  wives  and  eleven  children  were  captured  and  car- 
ried to  Canada,     The  fort  was  burned  by  the  Indians. 

The  last  of  June  an  unsuccessful  attack  was  made  upon  the  fort 
at  Keene.  Capt.  William  Syms  was  in  command  there  at  the  time. 
A  number  of  cattle  were  killed,  several  buildings  burned  and  Benja- 
min Twitchel  captured. 

July  22,  three  men  went  from  Hinsdale's  fort  in  Hinsdale,  about 
one  iumdred  rods  for  timber,  protected  by  a  guard  of  four  soldiers. 
The  Indians  got  between  the  men  and  the  fort  and  fired  upon  them. 
One  citizen  aud  one  soldier  were  killed  and  scalped ;  one  citizen  and 
one  soldier  escaped  to  the  fort.  From  the  account  of  the  affair  it  is 
probable  the  others  were  captured. 

At  the  same  date  of  the  last  Hinsdale  affair  two  men  went  a  mile 
and  a  half  from  the  street  in  Walpole  to  cut  timber.  Both  were  shot ; 
one  was  scalped ;  the  other  had  his  heart  taken  out  and  laid  in  pieces 
upon  his  breast. 


INDIANS.  83 

This  year,  1755,  Col.  Bellows  of  Walpole  had  a  fort,  and  some 
distance  from  it  a  mill,  and  employed  a  number  of  men.  Aug.  17, 
when  Col.  Bellows  with  thirty  of  his  men  were  going  from  the  mill 
to  dinner  they  encountered  a^large  number  of  Indians,  but  they  suc- 
ceeded in  cutting  their  way  through  them  and  reaching  the  fort  with- 
out loss. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  Col.  B.  lived  John  Kilburnwho  had  a  -wife, 
a  son  and  a  daughter ;  and  he  had  living  witfh  him  a  man  by  the  name 
of  Peck,  who  also  had  a  son.  After  the  Indians'  encounter  with  Col. 
Bellows  they  undertook  to  capture  Kilburn  and  his  family,  but  this 
family  of  six  persons  held  the  Indians  at  bay  all  the  afternoon,  when 
they  gave  up  the  undertaking.  Mr.  Peck  received  a  wound  from 
which  he  died  five  days  after. 

The  Indians  hovered  about  Swanzey  in  1755.  They  rendezvoused 
on  Mt.  Ceesar.  From  this  mountain  they  would  come  down  as  near  as 
they  dared  to  the  fort  on  Meeting-house  hill  and  execute  their  war 
and  scalp  dances,  and  exhibit  themselves  in  the  most  insulting  atti- 
tudes to  the  people  in  the  fort. 

This  year  a  number  of  armed  men  went  to  work  in  the  Great 
meadow  with  a  guard  of  soldiers.  When  they  reached  the  meadow 
the  soldiers  were  in  front.  A  rustling  in  some  bushes  attracted  their 
attention.  It  was  thought  a  deer  might  be  there.  One  of  the  soldiers 
fired  at  the  spot  where  the  rustling  Avas  heard  which  aroused  a  band 
of  concealed  Indians  who  fired  upon  the  soldiers.  The  soldiers  and 
laborers  drove  the  Indians  to  the  plain  west  of  Swanzey  factory. 
An  express  brought  out  fifteen  men  from  Keene  under  Capt.  Met- 
calf.  The  Indians  fled  up  the  south  side  of  East  Branch  and  then 
crossed  the  stream  and  made  their  escape  over  the  hills  east  of  Keene. 
This  is  understood  to  be  the  last  appearance  of  hostile  Indians  in 
Swanzey. 

But  in  other  towns  in  the  valley  Indian  raids  were  kept  up  during 
the  three  following  years. 

June  7,  1756,  Josiah  Fisher,  wife  and  two  children  were  captured  in 
Winchester  and  taken  to  Quebec  where  they  met  Benjamin  Twitchell 
who  was  captured  in  Keene  the  previous  year.  After  months  of  cap- 
tivity the  Fisher  family  were  released  and  returned  to  Winchester. 

April  19, 1757,  Charlestowm  was  again  attacked  by  a  large  party  of 
French  and  Indians,  and  five  men  captured  and  taken  to  Canada  of 
whom  three  died  there  and  the  others  returned. 

In  1758,  at   Hinsdale,  they  killed    Captain   Moore  and  his    son, 
burned  his   house  and   made  the  rest   of  his   family  captives.     At 
3 


34  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Cliarlestown  they  killed  Asahel  StoLbins  and  captured  his  wife,  a 
soldier  aud  Isaac  Parker. 

In  1759  it  was  determined  to  chastise  the  Indians  who  had  com- 
mitted such  devastations  upon  the  frontier  settlements,  and  tAvo  luin- 
dred  men  were  sent  by  General  Amherst  from  Crown  Point,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Robert  Rogers,  to  destroy  the  Indian  village  of 
St.  Francis.  After  an  eventful  march  of  twenty-one  days  through 
the  wilderness  they  reached  the  place  and  were  entirely  successful  in 
the  undertaking.  At  this  date  Quebec  passed  into  the  hands  of  the 
English  aud  a  quietus  was  given  to  the  frontier  settlements  of  the 
English  colonies. 

Swanzey  was  well  provided  with  forts  for  the  protection  of  its  in- 
habitants and  rendezvous  for  soldiers.  The  most  important  one  was 
on  Meeting-house  hill.  The  old  well  that  supplied  the  fort  with  water 
now  supplies  the  premises  of  George  Carpenter.  Most  of  the  soldiers 
that  garrisoned  the  forts  in  Swanzey  were  from  Massachusetts. 

It  must  not  be  inferred,  however,  that  all  the  soldiers  employed  in 
repelling  the  French  and  Indian  invasions  in  the  Connecticut  and 
Ashuelot  valleys  were  furnished  by  Massachusetts  ;  New  Hampshire 
did  something — Avhat  she  could  perhaps,  in  defending  her  frontier 
settlements  and  outposts. 

Note. — Mncli  of  tlie  material  for  this  chapter  has  been  obtained  from 
Temple  and  Sheldon's  History  of  NortlUield,  Mass.,  Sannderson's  History  of 
Charlestown,  Annals  of  Keene,  Belknap's  History  of  New  Hampshire,  aud 
Provincial  Papers  of  New  Hampshire  by  Nathaniel  Bouton,  D.D. 


CHAPTER  III. 

General  Outline  History. 


Township  Granted  —  Names  of  Grantees— Proprietors'  Records — 
Divif^ioNs  OF  Land— Settlement  OK  Province  Boundary  Line — New  Hamp- 
shire Charter  —  Land  annexed  from  Richmond  —  Disannexed  to  other 
Towns  —  Committee  of  Safety  —  Beep  Tax  —  Vermont  Controversy 
Warning  out  of  Town —  Paper  Money —  Names  of  Settlers  — Employ- 
ment of  the  People  —  Food  —  Dress  —  Farming  and  Household  Im- 
plements —  Wages. 

PREVIOUS  to  1732  the  valley  of  the  Ashuelot  had  not  been  the 
home  of  the  white  man. 

The  nearest  place  to  this  valley  which  had  been  settled  by  the  col- 
onists was  Northfield,  which  at  this  time,  included  most  of  Hinsdale 
and  a  portion  of  Winchester.  As  Northfield  was  settled  as  early  as 
1685  it  is  probable  that  the  trappers,  hunters  and  explorers  had  ob- 
tained some  general  knowledge  of  the  character  of  the  valley  previ- 
ous to  1732.  The  name  of  the  valley  and  the  river  flowing  through 
it  had  undoubtedly  been  established.  The  boundary  line  between  the 
colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay  and  the  colony  of  New  Hampshire  had 
not  been  settled,  but  the  Massachusetts  colonists  assumed  that  it  be- 
longed to  Massachusetts. 

In  June,  1732,  Gov.  Belcher,  in  his  speech  to  the  "Great  and  Gen- 
eral Conn"  of  Massachusetts  reconimended  that  "care  be  taken  to 
settle  the  ungranted  land." 

In  compliance  with  the  Governor's  recommendation  the  House  of 
Representatives  voted  "That  there  be  seven  towns  opened  of  the  con- 
tents of  six  miles  square,  one  west  of  the  Naraganset  town  which  is 
near  Wachusett  Hill;  one  between  the  equivalent  land  and  Rutland, 
on  or  near  the  road  lately  laid  from  Swift  river  to  Rutland  ;  and  one 
at  Poquaig  (Athol)  on  Miller's  river;  one  west  of  the  town  called 
Northtown;  two  on  the  Ashuelot  river  above  Northfield,  and  the 
other  in  the  eastern  county  at  the  head  of  Berwick ;  that  the  commit- 
tee be  appointed  to  admit  settlers  and  lay  out  house  lots  so  that  the 

(35) 


36  HISTORY    OF    bWANZEY. 

settlements  may  be  made  in  a  defensible  manner,  and  to  direct  in  the 
drawing  thereof,  but  not  to  lay  out  any  further  division  without  di- 
rections from  this  court ;  that  there  shall  be  sixty-three  house  lots 
laid  out  in  each  township  :  one  for  the  first  settled  minister,  one  for 
the  ministry,  one  for  the  school,  and  one  for  each  of  the  sixty  settlers 
who  shall  settle  thereon,  in  his  own  person  or  by  any  of  his  chihh-en; 
the  rest  of  the  land  to  be  allotted  or  divided  equally  into  sixty-three 
parts ;  that  one  year  from  the  survey  be  allowed  for  the  admission  of 
settlers,  and  that  the  committee  be  directed  to  demand  and  receive 
from  each  settler  at  his  admission  five  pounds,  part  of  which  shall  be 
employed  for  reimbursing  the  province,  the  money  to  be  advanced  for 
paying  the  committee  and  the  charges  of  the  surveys  ;  and  the  remain- 
der to  be  employed  for  building  a  house  of  public  worship  or  other- 
wise as  the  General  Court  shall  order;  that  each  settler  actually  live 
on  his  land  within  three  years  after  his  admission,  and  continue  there 
for  the  space  of  two  years  after,  in  person  and  with  his  family,  if 
such  he  have ;  that  he  do  within  five  years  from  his  admission  build 
a  house  on  his  laud  of  eighteen  feet  square  and  seven  feet  stud,  at 
the  least,  and  within  the  same  time  do  sufficiently  fence  and  till,  or 
fit  for  mowing  eiglit  acres  of  land  ;  and  in  case  any  settler  fail  of  per- 
formance his  right  to  be  forfeited ;  and  the  committee  for  admitting 
settlers  are  directed  to  take  a  bond  of  each  settler  at  the  time  of  ad- 
mission for  twenty  pounds  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  settlers,  in 
case  he  fails  of  performing  the  conditions  mentioned ;  and  the  settlers 
in  each  town  shall  be  obliged  to  build  a  suitable  meeting  house  and 
settle  a  learned  and  orthodox  minister  in  such  town  within  five  years 
from  their  admission." 

On  the  first  of  July,  1733,  this  vote  was  concurred  in  by  the  council 
and  ''consented  to"  by  the  Governor,  but  the  committee  appointed  to 
make  the  survey  not  attending  to  their  duty  it  was,  Oct.  19,  1733, 
voted  that  another  committee  consisting  of  Josepli  Kellogg,  Timothy 
Dwight  and  William  Chandler  be  appointed  with  directions  forthAvith 
to  lay  out  the  townships  at  Poquaig  and  on  the  Ashuelot  river  "un- 
less they  find  that  by  reason  of  laying  out  the  township  Winchester, 
granted  to  Col.  Willard  and  others,  the  land  remaining  at  Ashuelot 
river  will  not  serve  for  two  townships,  in  which  case  tliey  are  directed 
to  la}"  out  oulj^  one  on  that  river. 

In  February,  1 734,  the  committee  made  a  return  to  the  Genei'al  Court 
of  a  "plat  of  two  townships,  each  of  the  contents  of  six  miles  square 
situated  on  each  side  of  Ashuelot  river  above  the  tract  of  land  lately 
grauted  to  Josiah  Willard  and  others,  beginning  at  a  Spruce  or  White 


GENERAL    OUTLINE   HISTORY.  37 

pine  tree  standing  about  midway  between  the  south  and  east  branches 
of  said  river  about  five  perch  east  of  the  bank  of  the  main  river,  and 
thence  running  each  way  as  described  on  the  plat."  The  plat  was 
accepted  and  the  lands  contained  in  said  townships  were  declared  to 
lie  in  and  constitute  a  part  of  the  county  of  Hampshire. 

It  was  soon  found  that  the  plan  included  land  in  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  the  township,  which  had  been  granted  to  Josiah  Willard  and 
others.  As  the  grant  to  Mr.  Willard  and  his  associates  was  made 
prior  to  the  grant  to  Lower  Ashuelot  proprietors,  the  land  was  con- 
ceded to  belong  rightfully  to  Mr.  Willard  and  his  associates. 

Sixty-three  houselots  were  laid  out  in  Lower  Ashuelot  in  May,  1734, 
by  a  committee  acting  under  the  authority  of  Massachusetts.  Each 
of  the  lots  was  numbered,  and  each  proprietor  drew  lots  for  his  num- 
ber. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  persons  who  were  the  first 
owners  of  sixty  of  these  houselots ;  the  other  three  being  drawn,  one 
each  for  the  minister,  the  ministry  and  the  school : 

Lot  No.  1,  Josiah  Divol ;  2,  Thomas  Hapgood  ;  3,  Thomas  Kendall ; 
4,  Samuel  Bason;  5,  James  Heaton ;  6,  John  Holden ;  7,  William 
Negers;  8,  John  Mead;  9,  Joseph  Lee ;  10,  Daniel  Brown;  11,  Jo- 
seph Hill;  12,  James  Wallis  ;  13,  John  Flint  for  his  son  Ephraim 
Flint;  14,  Elnathan  Jones  ;  15,  Benjamin  Reed  ;  16,  School  lot ;  17, 
Benjamin  Whitney  ;  18,  Nathaniel  Hammond  for  his  son-in-law  Cham- 
berlain ;  19,  James  Houghton,  jr. ;  20,  John  White  ;  21,  John  Muzzey  ; 
22,  Jonathan  Prescott;  23,  David  Cutler;  24,  John  King;  25,  Joseph 
Hill,  jr.  ;  26,  Robert  Cummings  ;  27,  Nathaniel  Hammond  ;  28,  James 
Henry;  29,  Thomas  Cutler;  30,  Hezelviah  Sprague  ;  31,  Benjamin 
Haywood;  32,  Jonathan  Hammond  by  his  father ;  33,  Joseph  Has- 
kell, 34,  Eleazer  Robbins ;  35,  William  Whitaker;  36,  Samuel  Doug- 
lass; 37,  Aaron  Lyon;  38,  Benjamin  Thompson;  39,  Nathaniel 
Whitemore  ;  40,  Thomas  Kendall  ;41  ,^Timothy  Stearns  ;  42,  John  King  ; 
43,  John  Sampson;  44,  John  Starr;  45,  John  King  for  his  son;  46, 
John  Mewharter ;  47,  Ministry  lot ;  48,  Minister's  lot;  49,  Nathan- 
iel Mattoon;  50,  Ephraim  Jones;  51,  William  Lyon;  52,  Benjamin 
Farusworth  ;  53,  Oliver  Wallis  ;  54,  William  Arms  ;  55,  Charles  Pres- 
cott ;  56,  Enos  Goodale  ;  57,  John  Tyler ;  58,  Ebenezer  Conant ;  59, 
William  Carr ;  60,  Thomas  Heaton;  61,  Thomas  Kendall;  62,  Sam- 
uel Doolittle;  63,  Gardner  Wilder. 

It  will  be  apparent  to  one  who  shall  read  the  subsequent  histor}^  of 
the  township  that  the  grantees  generally  did  not  act  in  accordance 
with  the  terms  of  the  grant,  by  becoming  residents  themselves,  or  by 


38  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

their  children  settling  in  the  township.  Among  the  names  of  these 
grantees  who  were  residents  of  the  township  previous  to  1747  we  find 
only  Hammond,  Heaton,  Brown,  Jones,  Chamberlain,  King  and  Carr ; 
and  then  we  find  the  names  of  Belding,  Grimes,  Guun,  Cresson,  Hills, 
Graves,  Evans  and  Loomis. 

The  inference  is  that  the  motive  which  prompted  many  of  the  grant- 
ees to  take  rights  in  the  township  was  speculation ;  and  that  some  of 
them  very  soon  disposed  of  their  interests  therein. 

The  committee  appointed  by  Massachusetts  to  lay  out  the  sixty-three 
houselots,  laid  a  road  four  rods  wide  from  the  south  side  of  the  south 
branch,  north  of  the  spot  where  No.  5  sehoolhouse  now  stands,  in  a 
straight  line  on  to  the  hill  west  of  the  George  Carpenter  residence, 
thence  making  an  angle  and  bearing  to  the  east  to  a  point  a  little 
southeast  of  the  residence  of  Sylvander  Stone.  Thirty-two  house 
lots  were  laid  on  the  west  side  of  this  road,  and  thirty-one  on  the  east 
side.  No.  1  was  at  the  west  side  of  the  North  end  and  No.  32  on  the 
west  side  of  the  South  end  ;  No.  33  on  the  east  side  of  the  South  end, 
and  63  on  the  east  side  at  the  North  end.  Some  alteration  of  this 
plan  was  made  soon  after  by  the  settlers.  ^  Nos.  33  and  34  were  taken 
from  the  east  side  and  laid  out  south  of  No.  32  on  the  west  side.  The 
lots  between  Nos.  42  and  53  were  moved  to  the  east.  Nos.  33  and  34 
were  moved  presumably  because  they  included  the  moat.  The  others 
were  moved  so  as  to  obtain  a  larger  tract  of  common  land  upon  what 
was  called  "Meeting  House  hill." 

The  proprietors'  records  commence  as  follows  : — 

"Concord  June  27,  1734.  At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
Lower  Township  on  the  Ashuelot  river,  Mr.  Nathaniel  Hammond  of 
Littleton  was  chosen  moderator ;  Ephraim  Jones  of  Concord  chosen 
clerk  and  swoi'u. 

Voted  that  John  Flint  Esq.  of  Concord,  Mr.  Joseph  Hill  of  Biller- 
ica,  Mr.  Thomas  Cutler  of  Lexington,  Mr.  Eleazer  Kobbins  of  Har- 
vard and  Mr.  Nathaniel  Hammond  of  Littleton,  be  a  committee  to 
manage  the  prudential  affairs  of  the  said  township.  Voted  that  the 
meeting  be  adjourned  to  Wednesday  the  18th  day  of  September  next, 
and  then  to  meet  at  the  said  township  of  Lower  Ashuelot  at  10  o'clock 
in  the  forenoon. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Propinetors  of  the  Lower  Ashawelock  Town- 
ship, Being  Meet  on  the  said  Township  on  the  Eighteenth  Day  of 
SL'ptember,  1734.  Voted  that  the  Meeting  be  adjourned  to  To-morrow 
morning  at  Eight  of  the  Clock  being  the  Nineteenth  Day  of  Septem- 
ber Currant  then  to  Meet  on  the  Lot  No.  1  in  the  said  Township. 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  39 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Lower  Township  on  Asha- 
welock  River  being  meet  on  the  Lot  No.  1  in  the  said  Township  the 
Nineteenth  Day  of  September  Anno  Dom.  1734.  The  question  being 
Put  whether  the  Proprietors  will  Lay  out  any  of  the  Common  Land 
in  said  Township  at  Present,  Passed  in  the  Negative  ;  and  then  the 
meeting  adjourned  to  the  Second  Wednesday  in  October  Next,  and 
then  to  meet  at  the  House  of  Ephraim  Jones,  Innholder  at  Concord 
at  Twelve  of  the  Clock  at  Noon." 

Probably  these  proprietors  of  the  two  townships.  Upper  and  Lower 
Ashuelot,  who  held  the  first  meetings  in  the  townships  were  all  unac- 
quainted with  the  location  of  them,  and  that  they  arrived  in  the  eve- 
ning of  September  18,  1734.  The  Keene  historian  says  :  "None  of 
them  having  previously  visited  it,  they  were  accompanied  by  Deacon 
Alexander  of  Northfield  as  a  pilot.  They  did  not  arrive  at  the  line 
of  the  township  until  late  in  the  evening  of  the  18th,  the  day  to  which 
the  meeting  was  adjourned ;  and  as  soon  as  the  pilot  informed  them 
that  they  had  passed  the  line  they  opened  the  meeting  and  adjourned 
to  the  next  day." 

It  does  not  appear  that  any  business  of  importance  was  transacted 
at  this  meeting.  The  principal  object  of  holding  it  in  the  township 
was  doubtless  to  make  such  observations  as  would  enable  them  to  make 
arrangements  for  its  settlement. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Lower  Township  of  Ash- 
awelock  River  being  continued  by  several  adjournments  being  meet 
at  the  House  of  Ephraim  Jones  of  Concord  the  Nineteenth  Day  of 
October  Anno  Dom.  1734.  Voted  that  a  Division  of  Interval  be  laid 
out.  Voted  that  the  Interval  between  the  Great  River  and  the  South 
Branch,  and  all  the  Interval  upon  the  South  Branch  be  laid  out,  and 
also  so  much  on  the  South  side  of  the  Great  River,  Below  the  South 
Branch  as  the  Committee  which  shall  be  Chosen  to  Lay  out  shall  think 
Most  Convenient.  Voted  that  Mr."  Eleazer  Robbins  of  Harvard,  Mr. 
Nathaniel  Hammond  of  Littleton,  Ephraim  Jones  of  Concord,  Mr. 
Benjamin  Reed  of  Lexington  and  Mr.  Nathaniel  Mattoon  of  North- 
field,  or  any  three  of  them,  be  a  committee  to  lay  out  the  Interval  be- 
fore mentioned  into  Sixty  Three  Lots  as  equal  as  may  be  in  Quantity 
and  Quality.  Voted  that  the  Committee  Before  mentioned  be  Impow- 
ered  to  Imploy  a  Surveyor  to  Lay  out  the  Land  before  mentioned. 
Voted  that  the  Committee  before  mentioned,  forthwith  or  as  soon  as 
Conveniently  may  be,  Lay  out  the  Land  before  mentioned  and  Make 
a  Return  of  their  Doings  to  the  Proprietors  in  order  to  have  them  Draw 
their  Lots  the  2'^  Wednesday  of  June  next.  Voted  that  the  sum  of 
Sixty  Pounds  be  Paid  by  the  Proprietors  to  Defray  the  Necessary 


40  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Charges.  Voted  that  Mr.  John  Mnzzey  of  Lexington  and  INIr.  Ben- 
jamin Heywood  of  Worcester  be  Collectors  to  Collect  the  said  sum  of 
Sixty  Pounds  of  the  Proprietors  and  Pay  it  into  the  Treasury  on  or 
before  the  2nd  Tuesday  in  April  next.  Voted  that  John  Flint  Esq. 
be  Treasurer  and  Receiver  to  Receive  the  said  Sum  of  Sixty  Pounds 
of  the  Collector  for  the  use  of  the  Propriety.  Voted  that  the  Meet- 
ing be  adjourned  to  the  second  Wednesday  of  June  next  then  to  Meet 
at  the  House  of  Ephraim  Jones  Inuholder  at  Concord  in  order  to 
Draw  their  Lotts  and  to  Treat  of  any  other  affairs  which  May  then  be 
thought  Proper." 

At  this  adjourned  meeting  held  at  Concord,  June  11,  1735,  it  was 
voted  that  the  report  of  the  committee  to  lay  out  the  second  division 
be  accepted  :  that  said  committee  be  allowed  ten  shillings  a  da}'  for 
their  services,  and  "that  the  Surveyors  Bills  Being  fifteen  I'onnds 
Seven  Shillings  be  allowed."  It  was  also  "voted  that  each  Proprie- 
tor Pay  Twenty  Shillings  before  he  shall  Draw  his  Lott."  The  names 
of  those  who  drew  this  second  division  are  the  same  as  tliose  who  drew 
the  first.  It  includes  the  intervale  lying  on  the  east  side  of  the  Ash- 
uelot  river  between  Keene  line  and  the  South  Branch,  and  the  inter- 
vale on  each  side  of  the  latter  stream  between  the  iron  bridge  and  the 
Ashuelot  river.  There  was  a  small  tract  of  intervale  l^'ing  on  the  south 
side  of  the  South  Branch  and  the  east  side  of  the  Ashuelot  river  that 
was  not  included  in  this  division. 

The  boundaries  of  a  few  of  these  lots  will  be  sufficient  to  give  an 
idea  how  they  were  laid  out  and  the  amount  of  land  which  each  lot 
contained. 

"No.  1  Bounds  Northerly  125  rods  on  the  upper  Township,  North- 
westerly 171  Rods  on  AshaAvelock  River,  South  135  on  No.  2,  East- 
erly 15  rods  on  undivided  Land  being  upland :  Said  No.  1  contains 
Eleven  acres,  having  36  Rods  Allowed  for  a  Way  besides." 

"No.  16  Bounds  Northerly  174  Rods  with  No.  15,  Westerly  7i  Rods 
&  half  afoot  with  the  river.  Southerly  173^  Rods  with  No.  17,  East- 
erly 7^  Rods  and  half  a  foot  with  undivided  upland:  Said  No.  16 
Contains  Eight  acres  besides  20  Rods  for  a  way," 

"No.  48  is  Invironed  on  all  sides  with  water:  Bounds  North  east 
34  Rods  on  the  Great  River,  Northerly  7  Rods  on  the  River :  North- 
westerly 3  Rods  on  said  River :  westerly  26  Rods  on  said  River  :  North- 
westerly 14  Rods  on  said  River  :  westerly  12  Rods  on  the  South  Branch. 
Southwesterly  6  Rods  on  said  South  Branch.  Said  No.  48  Contains 
Four  Acres  and  one  hundred  Rods,  being  without  any  incumbrances 
of  way." 

"No.  53  Bounds  Northwesterly  122  Rods  on  No.  52:  Northeast- 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORr.  41 

erly  9  J-  Rods  ou  uudividecl  land  :  Southeast  6  Rods  on  undivided  Land  : 
Northeast  13  Rods  on  undivided  Lands:  Southeasterly  126  rods  on 
No.  54:  Northwesterly  13  Rods  on  the  House  Lotts ;  Said  No.  53 
Contains  Eight  acres  besides  50  Rods  for  what  the  River  takes  out  of 
the  Same  and  Twenty  Rods  for  a  way." 

"No.  63  Bounds  North  on  No.  62  18  Rods  :  North  Easterly  8  Rods 
on  the  River  :  North  westerly  17  Rods  on  the  River  :  Easterly  63  Rods 
on  the  River,  Southwesterly  64  Rods  on  Common  Land ;  Northwest- 
erly 24  Rods  on  Common  Land,  Westerly  20  Rods  on  Common  Land. 
Said  No.  63  Contains  Thirteen  acres  and  one  hundred  and  Four  Rods 
without  any  Incumbrances  of  ways." 

The  committee  who  made  this  division  consisted  of  Eleazer  Robbins, 
Nath.  Hammond  and  Benjamin  Reed ;  surveyor,  Stephen  Hosmer,  jr. 

Doubtless  soon  after,  this  work  was  began  in  the  township,  by  a 
party  of  men  coming  by  the  way  of  Northfield,  through  the  then  almost 
untrodden  wilderness,  bringing  their  tools  and  provisions  with  them. 
Their  first  work  must  have  been  to  build  cabins  of  logs  and  boughs. 
Then  commenced  the  clearing  of  the  land,  and  the  woodman's  axe 
began  to  resound  through  the  deep,  dark  pine  forest.  During  many 
a  night  as  these  laborers  lay  in  their  cabins  after  their  hard  day's 
work  was  done,  there  came  to  their  ears  the  hooting  of  the  owl,  the 
bowling  of  the  wolf  and  the  roar  of  the  distant  waterfall.  Before  the 
snows  of  winter  these  laborers  returned  to  their  Massachusetts  homes. 

The  proprietors  held  a  meeting  at  Concord,  March  31,  1736.  The 
subjects  taken  into  consideration  were  the  enclosing  of  the  meadow 
lots  by  a  fence ;  the  building  of  a  saw-mill,  and  the  laying  out  and 
constructing  a  road  to  Arlington  (Winchester).  At  a  meeting  in  the 
township  September  8,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  see  that  the  meadow 
lots  were  fenced  before  the  first  of  December,  and  a  committee  was 
chosen  to  make  a  third  division  of  land  of  about  twenty  acres  to  each 
house  lot.  At  an  adjourned  meeting  October  27,  this  committee  made 
its  report,  which  was  accepted  and  the  lots  drawn. 

The  twenty  acre  lots  were  laid  out  ou  the  intervale  and  meadows, 
which  took  nearly  all  that  remained  in  the  township  after  the  first 
division  of  intervale  had  been  made.  It  does  not  appear  that  any  of 
the  lots  were  laid  out  in  what  is  called  "Mark  Meadow."  The  com- 
mittee commenced  near  where  the  Iron  Bridge  now  stands  over  the 
South  Branch  and  easterly  of  the  town  house,  and  laid  lots  in  inter- 
vale land  until  they  reached  what  was  then  the  east  line  of  the  town. 
This  line  ran  between  the  farms  of  Josiah  Parsons  and  George  W. 
Stanley,  and  further  between  the  farms  which  were  owned  by  the  late 


42  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Amasa  Aldrich  and  Carlton  Parker.  Several  lots  were  laid  out  ou  the 
Pond  Brook  meadow  and  the  Richmond  Branch  meadow.  Several 
were  laid  out  on  the  Great  River  above  West  Swanzey,  which  were 
called  the  "Mill  Meadow  lots."  Others  were  laid  on  the  Great  River 
between  West  Swauzey  and  Westport,  which  were  called  the  "H3'pone- 
00  Meadows."  Two  lots  were  laid  on  the  west  side  of  the  '  'Great  River" 
near  Keene  line. 

The  first  proprietors'  meeting  in  1737  was  held  at  Concord,  Feb- 
ruary 9.  This  was  adjourned  to  March  16,  when  it  was  voted  to  give 
Ephrahn  Jones  200  acres  of  land  at  the  "Great  Falls"  if  he  would 
build  at  that  place  a  saw-mill.  It  was  voted  also  to  make  another,  a 
fourth  division  of  laud,  of  about  eighty  acres  to  each  owner  of  a  house 
lot. 

The  proprietors  came  this  year  with  their  families,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  remaining  during  the  winter  and  making  it  their  permanent 
home.  Their  meetings  from  this  time  were  held  in  the  township. 
June  22,  a  meeting  was  called  to  beholden  September  7  at  the  house 
of  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond.  This  was  the  first  house  named  in  the 
records  and  stood  where  Mrs.  Virgil  Woodcock  now  resides.  At  this 
meeting  and  at  adjournments  of  the  same  during  the  autumn,  the  fol- 
lowing business  was  transacted  : — Voted  to  confirm  to  Ephraim  Jones 
and  his  heirs  the  200  acres  of  land  that  had  been  laid  out  at  the 
"Great  Falls"  when  he  should  have  built  the  saw-mill.  Voted  to 
build  a  meeting  house  ;  to  raise  money  to  pay  for  preaching ;  to  fine 
any  person  who  should  fall  trees  into  the  "South  Branch"  or  into  the 
"Great  River,"  unless  he  removed  them ;  to  look  out  a  road  to  where 
the  saw-mill  was  to  be  built,  and  also  to  the  intervale  ;  that  the  eighty- 
acre  lots  which  had  been  surveyed  should  be  divided  by  lot,  and  that 
another,  a  fifth  division  of  100  acres  in  the  undivided  land  be  made 
to  the  owner  of  each  house  lot. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1737  a  right  in  the  township  consisted  of  a 
house  lot,  an  eight-acre  meadow  lot,  a  twenty-acre  meadow  lot,  an 
eighty- acre  lot  of  upland  and  a  one  hundred-acre  lot  which  had  been 
or  could  be  pitched. 

The  fourth  division  lots  were  laid  out  under  the  direction  of  a  com- 
mittee consisting  of  Nathaniel  Hammond,  Benjamin  Reed,  Samuel 
Chamberlain,  Ephraim  Jones  and  Nathaniel  Matloon.  Allhongh  the 
proi)rietors  voted  tliat  they  should  contain  eight}' acres  each,  many  of 
them  fell  very  much  short  of  that  amount.  Tliey  consisted  of  upland, 
as  the  intervale  and  meadow  lands  had  already  been  disposed  of.  They 
were  laid  out  with  a  good  degree  of  regularity  (as  were  also  the  three 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  43 

former  divisions)  in  ranges  in  various  parts  of  the  township.  The  lots 
were  about  170  rods  in  lengtli  and  60  in  widtli.  Lot  number  1  was  laid 
west  of  the  house  lots  and  south  of  the  Ashuelot  river,  near  the  sand 
bank  ;  the  northwest  corner  being  near  the  river  bank,  its  length  being 
from  north  to  south.  Numbers  2  and  3  were  laid  west  of  number  1, 
beino-  numbered  from  east  to  west.  A  range  of  the  lots  was  laid  on 
the  hill  which  lies  between  Swanzey  Centre  and  West  Swanzey  ;  the 
most  northerly  lot  was  number  4  which  was  located  not  far  south  of 
the  road  leading  from  the  Centre  to  ^Yest  Swanzey  ;  the  most  south- 
erly was  number  18,  and  at  present  is  part  of  the  farm  of  Sylvander 
L.  Whitcomb.  Numbers  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24  and  25  were  on  the 
hill  southeast  of  West  Swanzey  extending  to  the  north  end  of  Swan- 
zey Pond.  Numbers  26,  28,  30,  32,  34,  36,  38,  40  aud  42  were  laid 
on  the  east  of  the  South  Branch  and  on  the  present  road  which  runs 
from  the  Iron  Bridge,  near  the  town  house,  to  Keene,  and  passes 
through  these  lots.  E)ast  of,  and  adjoining  these  lots  was  another 
range  numbered  27,  29,  31,  33,  35,  37,  39,  41  and  43.  Number  44 
was  northeast  of  said  Iron  Bridge.  Numbers  45,  46,  47,  48,  49  and 
50  were  between  West  Swanzey  and  Westport  on  the  east  side  of 
Ashuelot  river.  Numbers  51,  52,  53,  54,  55,  56,  57,  58,  59,  60,  61, 
62  and  63  were  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  leading  through  the  cen- 
tre of  the  town.  The  southeast  corner  of  lot  number  51  was  near 
Pond  Brook  Bridge.  Number  63  was  the  minister  lot,  and  the  most 
northerly  one  in  the  range.  The  east  line  of  these  lots,  south  of  the 
house  lots,  was  where  the  road  now  runs  ;  and  the  east  line  of  those 
west  of  the  house  lots  was  on  the  west  line  of  the  house  lots. 

The  names  of  a  few  of  the  present  owners  of  these  lots  are  here 
given  :  number  26,  Charles  H.  Rockwood  ;  28,  Phineas  Gay  ;  30,  A. 
S.  Blake  ;  38,  Leander  Page  ;  42,  G.  W.  Eastman  ;  53,  W.  C.  Beld- 
ing;  54,  R.  Hovey  ;  55,  A.  B.  Cook;  59,  M.  C.  Stone;  62,  George 
Carpenter. 

At  a  proprietors'  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Hammond,  October  26, 1737,  "Voted  that  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond, 
Benjamin  Heywood,  Charles  Lumis,  Samuel  Hills  and  Thomas  Cres- 
sou  be  a  committee  to  lay  out  the  fifth  division  and  qualify  the  lots. 
Voted  that  the  committee  shall  pitch  and  lay  out  the  lots  for  the  min- 
ister and  ministry. 

Voted  that  each  of  the  proprietors  shall  pitch  his  lot  and  shall  draw 
lots  for  his  pitch ;  and  he  who  draws  No.  1  is  to  make  his  pitch  on 
the  sixth  day  of  March  next,  and  he  who  draws  No.  2  shall  pitch  on 
seventh  day  of  March  and  so  on  till  they  are  all  pitched."     The  under- 


44  HISTORY   OF    SW^VNZEY. 

standing  of  the  proprietors  in  voting  to  have  the  committee  "h\y  out 
the  lots  and  qualify  them"  Avas  to  add  land  to  those  lots  of  inferior 
quality  to  make  the  lots  of  equal  value.  Each  proprietor  in  turn  had 
the  privilege  of  going  anywhere  into  the  undivided  land,  make  his  se- 
lection, and  lay  it  out  in  just  such  shape  as  he  chose.  As  may  be 
supposed  these  lots  were  laid  out  in  every  conceivable  shape,  as  the 
description  and  plans  in  the  proprietors'  records  plainly  show.  The 
description  of  a  few  of  these  lots  may  serve  as  specimens. 

"This  plan  describes  a  5th  division  lot  lying  in  Swanzey,  pitched 
according  to  a  vote  of  the  proprietors  and  laid  out  to  David  Belding 
and  to  house  lot  No.  44,  containing  by  estimation  one  hundred  acres, 
and  bounded  as  follows  :  Beginning  at  a  Basswood  tree  on  the  brink 
of  the  river  in  line  of  the  Old  Mill  Farm,  then  running  easterly  with 
said  Mill  Farm  till  it  comes  to  a  4tli  division  lot  No.  24  ;  then  south- 
wardly bounding  on  4th  division  lot  till  it  comes  to  lot  No.  45  in  the 
4th  division  ;  then  westwardly  bounding  on  No.  45  till  it  comes  to 
Hyponeco  meadow,  so-called  ;  thence  northwardly  with  said  meadow 
till  it  comes  to  the  river ;  then  northwardly  by  said  river  till  it  comes 
to  the  bound  first  mentioued.    Laid  out  October  21,  1758. 

David  Belding,  Surveyor. 
Jonathan  Hammond,  \ 
Thomas  Cresson,         >  Committee." 
David  Belding,  j 

"This  Plan  Describeth  a  Fifth  Division  Lot  Lying  in  Swanzey  Con- 
taining 120  acres  pitched  agreeable  to  a  vote  of  the  Proprietors  and 
Laid  out  by  Thomas  Cresson  to  the  House  Lott  No.  46  Bounded  as 
follows  :  First  Beginning  at  a  Hemlock  Stump  on  the  west  side  of  the 
River  y°  Running  Down  the  River  bounding  on  said  River  25G  Rods 
to  a  Pitch  pine  Tree  standing  near  the  Bank  of  the  River  as  may  ap- 
pear by  the  Plan  ;  y"  turns  N.  29°  E.  112  Rods  to  a  white  Pine;  y" 
East  52  Rods  to  a  White  Oak  Stump  ;  y"  E.  70°  S.  38  Rods  to  a  Stake ; 
y"^  S.  18°  W.  52  Rods ;  y"  E.  38°  S.  to  the  Stump  first  mentioned ;  y" 
running  over  the  River  and  turning  up  the  River  until  it  comes  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Branch  to  the  Corner  of  the  House  Lot  No.  1  ;  y"  turn- 
ing west  bounding  on  said  House  Lot  to  the  River  as  Doth  appear  by 
this  Plan.     Laid  out  April  the  1,  1775. 

David  Belding,  Surveyor. 
David  Belding,  \ 

Thomas  Ckesson,        >  Committee." 
Jonathan  Hammond,  •' 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  45 

"This  plau  describes  one  division  lot  lying  in  Swanzey  pitched 
agreeable  to  a  vote  of  the  proprietors  to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Hopkins, 
June  5,  1759,  and  to  house  lot  No.  55;  said  lot  originally  belonged 
to  Charles  Frescott,  containing  100  acres  and  one  rod  in  forty  for 
swag  of  chain ;  and  bounded  as  follows :  Beginning  at  the  N.  E.  cor- 
ner at  a  hemlock  tree  in  the  town  line  marked  (S.  H.)  ;  then  runs 
west  and  south  with  the  third  division  of  interval  land  260  rods  to  a 
white  pine  which  was  the  corner  of  a  third  division  lot ;  then  runs 
south  59°  east  140  rods  to  a  red  oak  tree  marked  S.  H.  in  Richmond 
line  ;  then  runs  N.  39°  E.  to  the  first  mentioned  bound. 

David  Belding,  Surveyor. 

David  Belding, 

Jonathan  Hammond,  )■  Committee. 

Thomas  Cresson, 


■•I 


The  settlers,  having  spent  their  first  winter  in  the  township,  appear 
to  have  been  in  a  healthy  condition  in  the  spring  of  1738,  and  took 
hold  of  the  work  of  a  public  nature  that  lay  before  them,  with  vigor. 

At  a  proprietors'  meeting  March  15,  Nathaniel  Hammond  was 
chosen  moderator,  Jonathan  Hammond  and  Thomas  Cresson  survey- 
ors of  highways  ;  Nathaniel  Hammond,  Thomas  Cresson  and  Samuel 
Hills,  assessors  ;  N.  Hammond  collector,  and  John  Evens  treasurer  for 
the  year  ensuing. 

Voted  to  raise  two  pounds  ten  shillings  on  each  right  to  fence  the 
intervale  if  each  proprietor  does  not  do  his  part  of  said  fence. 

Voted  that  Benjamin  Brown,  Jonathan  Hammond  and  William  Carr 
be  a  committee  to  run  the  lines  between  the  second  division  lots. 

A  meeting  was  duly  called  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Hammond,  November  6.  After  Capt.  Hammond  was  chosen  mod- 
erator the  meeting  adjourned  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  to  meet  at  the 
house  of  Jethro  Eames. 

Chose  Benjamin  Brown  of  Concord  proprietors'  clerk  ;  and  voted  that 
the  proprietors'  book  be  kept  in  the  town  for  the  future. 

"Voted  to  raise  the  sum  of  40  shillings  on  each  right,  or  the  sum 
of  120  pounds  for  encouragement  towards  building. a  grist  mill  upon 
the  'Great  River'  near  to  where  the  saw  mill  now  stands  in  said  town- 
ship, to  him  or  them  that  shall  appear  to  enter  into  bonds  to  build  the 
same  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  September  next  ensuing." 

At  a  meeting  held  Dec.  28  it  was  voted,  "That  the  piece  of  land 
be  laid  common  for  the  use  of  the  town  forever  that  lies  between  the 


46  HISTORY   OF   SAVANZEY. 

two  tier  of  house  lots  for  a  burying  place  and  training  field,  and  for 
any  other  use  the  town  shall  think  proper." 

Voted,  "That  the  committee  that  was  chosen  to  see  to  the  building 
of  the  meeting  house  be  a  committee  likewise  to  see  to  the  cutting 
down  of  the  trees  and  clear  a  place  to  set  the  Meeting  House  on,  and 
for  a  burying  place." 

Voted,  "That  each  of  the  proprietors  shall  have  liberty  to  Avork  out 
his  equal  part  in  falling  the  trees  and  clearing  the  above-mentioned 
road  and  common  land  where  the  meeting  house  is  to  stand  &c.,  be- 
tween the  first  day  of  February  next  ensuing  and  the  last  day  of  Feb- 
ruary following." 

Voted,  "That  the  Proprietors  will  buy  18  lbs.  of  Powder  &  36  lbs. 
of  Lead  for  a  proprietors'  stock,  and  shall  l)e  left  in  the  hands  of  Capt. 
Nathaniel  Hammond  for  the  use  of  said  Propriety." 

Voted,  "That  Nathaniel  Gunn,  Jonathan  Hammond  and  Benjamin 
Brown  be  a  committee  to  agree  with  all  those  men  that  have  any  land 
wanting  in  their  second  or  third  division  Lots,  and  lay  out  to  them  an 
equivalent  for  the  same  in  some  of  the  undivided  land  in  said  Town- 
ship, or  in  the  equivalent  land  that  is  granted  and  is  to  be  laid  out  for 
what  this  Township  interfered  upon  Arlington." 

Voted,  "That  the  Proprietors  will  pay  for  building  a  windlass  to 
draw  logs  out  of  the  saw-mill  pond  on  to  the  mill,  and  sh:dl  be  kept 
for  the  use  of  the  propriety." 

Voted,  "That  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond,  Messrs.  Jethro  Ames, 
William  Carr,  Ephraim  Jones  and  Nathaniel  Gunn  be  a  committee  to 
look  out  a  convenient  place  to  lay  out  the  equivalent  land  that  is 
granted  by  the  Great  and  General  Court  for  the  land  that  was  taken 
away  by  interfering  upon  Arlington." 

It  appears  that  the  piece  of  land  appropriated  at  this  meeting  for 
public  uses  was  not  large  enough  for  the  designed  purpose  and  sub- 
sequent changes  were  made  as  is  shown  by  the  accompanying  diagram 
and  report. 

"  This  Plan  Describeth  the  Hous  Lotts  in  y®  Lower  Ashuelot  town- 
ship so  called  Laid  out  in  part  By  JNIr.  Nathaniel  Dwight  in  May  1 734 
and  since  thien  agreeable  to  a  vote  of  sd.  propriaotors  theares  Been 
Considerable  alteration  made  in  thiem  from  y*^  waiey  they  ware  first 
proposed  to  be  laid  out  by  a  Committee  chosen  for  that  end  (as  ap- 
pears by  this  plan)  by  Laying  a  peace  of  Land  common  for  setting  up 
an  house  for  publick  worship,  «&;c.  and  bounding  the  eastwardly  P^nd 
of  y^  Lotts  on  the  Eastward  side  of  the  Road  on  y^  second  and  third 


MORTH 


Thomas  Gvasson 


CharUs    Lumis 


TTniothy  Bvowrt 


tames 


Sch.o<?l 
Hous« 

Rsi/'rimathv 
Marf  ingtoti' 

John 

Chamlifflai 
Broujn 


Sanjuel  Cunn 
Jiath.    Gurert 


WUUam.    Care 

No.  58  /  Samuel   Belding 
No.   57 
No.    56  /  Sat77ua.l  CKambcflaia 

WiUiarrr    Afms 
Samuel    Famswoj-th 

No.     ^9\  Abraham  Gyai/cs 


William  Scolt 


Nathaniel 
Hammond 


Jonathan  Hammond    No      3  2 


No.  46 /•'oriathan  F^aKX/ 
o.  4-5/   Ekakim    Kiag 
Dauid      Beldiixg 
Sarnual  MltcKeLl 


Andy^^^)     Ga.fdnQ.r 


Thomas  Hammond 
SamuftL  Hills 

Joseph  Hammoiad 

?faD  o[  eFoujaSh  ujitb  seitlers 
ooiwes    so  far  os  ki>owo,ii-)  iy47 
vj^beo  tbe  Toujo  ujos  abaT)cfonecl. 


^OUTH 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY.  47 

Division  Lotts  and  on  y^  westwardly  side  of  y*'  Road  thears  sum  va- 
riation made  in  y®  Roads  between  y^  Lotts  viz.  the  Road  of  four  Rods 
wide  on  y*^  south  side  of  y*^  Lott  is  added  to  sd.  Lott  in  full  satisfac- 
tion for  y*^  Road  of  four  rods  wide  taken  out  of  the  north  side  of  y*^ 
Lott  No.  25  which  was  don  by  agreement  of  y*^  committee  and  y*^  per- 
son who  is  y^  present  propriator  (or  owner)  of  said  No.  21  &  25  and 
likewise  by  a  free  consent  of  y**  present  owner  of  y*^  Lott  No.  3 1  y^ 
Road  is  turned  in  at  y*^  north  Eastwardly  corner  of  it  and  Runs  some- 
thing angling  Cross  sd  Lott  Leaving  part  of  it  on  y*^  South  and  South 
Eastwardly  side  of  y^  Road  as  appears  by  this  plan. 

Laid  out  in  December  1739 

By  Ben  J  A  Brown  Surveyor 
Thomas  Crksson,  \ 
Sam^  Gunn,  >  Committee." 

Bknja  Brown,       ^ 

A  number  of  proprietors'  meetings  were  held  during  the  year  1739. 
The  most  important  objects  considered  were  to  provide  preaching,  to 
settle  a  minister,  to  clear  off  the  trees  upon  Meeting  House  Hill  Com- 
mon, to  lay  out  and  build  a  road  from  the  saw  mill  to  Arlington,  to 
build  a  bridge  over  the  South  Branch  and  a  road  to  Upper  Ashuelot. 
The  bridge  over  the  Branch  was  necessary  for  going  to  Upper  Ash- 
uelot and  to  their  meadow  lots.  Its  location  was  nearly  opposite  the 
William  Carr  place. 

Oct.  19  it  was  "  Voted  to  build  a  pound  35  feet  square  and  7  feet 
high,  to  be  set  on  the  easterly  side  of  Meeting  House  hill."  Mr. 
Ephraim  Jones  was  chosen  "to  go  to  the  General  Court  to  get  confirmed 
a  plan  of  the  equivalent  land  laid  out  to  said  proprietors  by  order  of 
a  committee  from  the  General  Court  on  the  easterly  side  of  said  Town- 
ship." The  "  equivalent  land"  spoken  of  was  ungranted  land  taken 
from  outside  the  township  to  make  up  to  the  proprietors  what  they 
lost  by  the  corner  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  original  township  be- 
longing to  Arlington.  In  1740  the  proprietors  were  greatly  disturbed 
when  they  ascertained  that  they  were  not  inhabitants  of  Massachu- 
setts. After  a  long  contest  the  boundary  line  between  the  two  prov- 
inces was  now  established,  and  found  to  be  some  six  miles  south  of 
the  southern  line  of  the  township.  They  had  anticipated  no  such  de- 
cision as  this.  They  were  all  from  Massachusetts  and  supposed  they 
were  building  in  a  Massachusetts  town.  They  knew  Massachusetis, 
and  felt  that  she  would  render  them  any  assistance  that  might  be 
needed  for  the  protection  of  frontier  towns.     They  knew  but  little 


48  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

about  New  Hampshire.  They  were  strangers  to  her  people  and  knew 
not  what  treatment  they  might  receive  from  her  government.  The  near- 
est towns  that  had  been  settled  under  the  auspices  of  New  Hampshire 
were  in  the  Merrimack  valley.  Though  disappointed  in  finding  them- 
selves located  in  New  Hampshire  instead  of  Massachusetts  they  were 
not  discouraged.  They  changed  somewhat  their  contemplated  plans, 
and  gave  their  attention  to  building  a  schoolhouse  instead  of  a  meet- 
ing house  as  had  been  proposed.  The  Congregational  Church  was 
formed  Nov.  4,  1741,  and  Rev.  Timothy  Harrington  was  settled  as 
pastor. 

In  those  towns  in  the  Connecticut  and  Ashuelot  valleys  which  had 
been  settled  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts  no  particular 
change  took  place  in  their  affairs  for  some  years  after  the  establish- 
ment of  the  boundary  line  in  consequence  of  the  change  then  made. 
Massachusetis  continued  to  furnish  soldiers  for  garrison  duty  in  the 
forts  \^  hich  it  had  built,  and  New  Hampshire  gave  no  indication  of  her 
willingness  to  accept  them  and  provide  for  their  maintenance.  Massa- 
chusetts at  last  became  dissatisfied  with  the  state  of  affairs  and  the 
settlements  became  alarmed  in  view  of  their  situation  and  exposure 
to  Indian  raids. 

Fort  Dummer  was  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  river, 
about  five  miles  north  of  Massachusetts  line,  and  at  this  time  witliin 
the  bounds  of  New  Hampshire.  It  was  built  by  Massachusetts  about 
1724,  for  the  protection  of  her  frontier  settlements,  had  been  garri- 
soned and  supported  by  her  till  1744,  when,  finding  it  without  her  ju- 
risdiction and  within  that  of  New  Hampshire,  she  naturally  thought 
the  latter  province  should  be  at  the  expense  of  its  support.  An  ex- 
tended correspondence  was  entered  into  by  Governors  Sliirley  of 
Massachusetts  and  Wentworth  of  New  Hampshire  ;  action  was  taken 
by  the  legislative  bodies  of  the  two  provinces  and  by  the  King's  Coun- 
cil that  had  been  petitioned  to  solve  the  ditiiculty.  New  Hampshire 
pleaded  her  poverty  ;  that  the  fort  would  serve  as  a  protection  to  only 
one  or  two  of  her  towns,  and  those  granted  b}'  Massachusetts  ;  that 
Massachusetts  was  rich  and  able  to  support  it  and  that  its  advantages 
were  largely  in  her  favor. 

May  3,  1 745,  the  New  Hampshire  Assembly  by  a  large  majority  re- 
fused to  make  any  grant  for  the  support  and  maintenance  of  the  fort. 
Soon  after  this  Assembly  was  dissolved  b}'  the  Governor,  a  new  one 
chosen  and  qualified,  and,  June  5,  reversed  the  action  of  the  previous 
Assembly,  and  voted  to  receive  and  garrison  the  fort.  During  the 
controversy  delegates  were  chosen  from  Winchester,  Upper  and  Lower 


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GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY.  49 

Ashuelot  and  No.  Two  (WestmorelaDtl)  to  meet  at  Fort  Dummer, 
March  20,  1744,  and  see  what  might  be  done  by  petition  or  otherwise 
for  "■  help  and  protection  in  this  time  of  danger." 

Nathaniel  Hammond  and  Thomas  Cresson  were  the  delegates  from 
this  town. 

This  controversy  about  the  fort  should  be  regarded  as  having  been 
a  test  question  whether  New  Hampshire  would  or  would  not  assume 
the  responsibility  of  protecting  the  few  settlements  that  had  been  made 
in  the  Connecticut  and  Ashuelot  valleys. 

It  should  be  said  in  justice  to  New  Hampshire  for  its  reluctance 
that  it  was  assuming  a  great  responsibility  to  undertake  their  protec- 
tion. The  province  was  not  strong  and  it  gave  her  a  very  extended 
frontier  to  defend  against  the  French  and  Indians,  and  it  was  reliev- 
ing Massachusetts  of  a  responsibility  that  really  belonged  to  her  as 
much  as  it  did  to  New  Hampshire. 

At  a  legal  meeting  held  October  3,  1740,  it  was  unanimously  voted 
to  petition  the  "  Kings  Most  Excellent  Majesty"  setting  forth  their  dis- 
turbed condition  and  asking  to  be  annexed  to  the  province  of  Massa- 
chusetts Bay.  It  was  also  unanimously  "  voted  that  Thomas  Hutch- 
inson, Esq.,  be  impowered  to  present  the  petition  to  His  Majesty  and 
to  appear  in  behalf  of  the  petitioners  and  act  according  to  his  best  ' 
judgment." 

"Nathaniel  Hammond,  Abraham  Graves  and  John  Evans  were 
chosen  a  committee,  December  22,  1740,  to  finish  the  fort  which  had 
been  begun  around  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond's  house,  as  soon  as  the 
season  Avould  allow,  and  to  build  two  more  forts  when  there  should  be 
occasion  for  them."  The  second  fort  was  to  be  built  around  John 
Evans'  house,  and  the  third  one  upon  Meeting  House  hill.  Ham- 
mond's house  was  upon  house  lot  No.  27,  and  Evans'  was  doubtless 
upon  one  of  the  most  northerly  house  lots.  The  committee  for  build- 
ing the  forts  were  authorized  to  pay  eight  shillings  a  day  for  the  labor 
performed  upon  them. 

At  a  proprietors'  meeting  March  16,   1741,  Abraham  Graves  and 
Samuel  Hills  were  chosen  surveyors  of  "  hey waies  ;"  Thomas  Crison 
and  William  Carr  "  fence  vewers  ;"  Jonathan  Hammond  and  David 
Belding  field  drivers  andSamuelHills  and  Charles Lumies  "hog reaves." 
Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond,  Ephraim  Jones  of  Concord  and  Timo- 
thy Brown  were  chosen  a  couunittee  to  sell  the  equivalent  land  ;  John 
Chamberlain  was  allowed  damages  by  reason  of  the  "hey  waiey  " 
crossing  his  "meadow  lott  where  the  bridge  now  stands  on  the  South 
Branch." 


4 


50  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

"Voted  that  the  fence  Round  the  Enterveal  in  the  Great  Meadow 
shall  be  done  up  aceordhig  to  Law  by  the  fiveteeuth  day  of  April 
next  and  that  the  meadow  be  clear  of  Cattle  by  the  first  of  May 
next." 

War  was  commenced  between  Great  Britain  and  France  in  1744, 
and  the  English  and  French  colonies  became  involved  in  it.  Tlie 
French  authorities  in  Canada  incited  the  Canadian  Indians  to  commit 
barbarous  hostilities  upon  the  English  frontier  settlements.  It  does 
not  appear  that  any  depredations  were  made  in  this  vicinity  in  1 744, 
but  in  each  of  the  four  following  years  the  inhabitants  suffered  greatly. 
(See  Chapter  II.) 

A  party  of  Indians  that  had  been  committing  depredations  in  North- 
field,  April  15,  1747,  left  there  the  following  night  and  came  to  Lower 
Ashuelot  and  burned  the  town,  every  building  but  one  being  destroyed. 
Immediately  preceding  this  date  the  township  had  been  abandoned.  It 
appears  that  on  account  of  the  Indian  war  very  few  accessions  were 
made  to  the  settlement  during  the  time  that  intervened  between  the 
establishment  of  the  boundary  line  on  the  south  of  the  province  and 
the  time  when  the  township  was  abandoned. 

Those  who  had  made  a  settlement  remained  and  made  the  best  they 
could  of  the  situation  while  those  who  contemplated  coming  deferred 
it  until  more  prosperous  times. 

The  following  may  be  considered  a  nearly  correct  list  of  the  names 
of  the  men  who  had  a  permanent  residence  in  the  town  previous  to  its 
abandonment,  together  with  the  place  from  which  each  came  and 
the  time  when  the  names  first  appear  on  the  records  : 

Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond,  Littleton,  Sept.  17,  1737. 

Samuel  Hills,  Sunderland,  Sept.  17,  1737. 

Samuel  Farnsworth,  Sept.  17,  1737. 

Thomas  Cresson,  Sunderland,  Sept.  17,  1737. 

Charles  Lumis,  Bolton,  Sept.  17,  1737. 

William  Carr,  Deerfield,  Sept.  17,  1737. 

Jethro  Fames,  Oct.  10,  1737. 

Jonathan  Hammond,  Littleton,  Oct.  10,  1737. 

John  Chamberlain,  Oct.  10,  1737. 

AVilliam  Grimes,  Lancaster,  Oct.  10,  1737. 

John  Evens,  Bolton,  Oct.  26,  1737. 

Samuel  Gunn,  Sunderland,  Nov.  6,  1738. 

Benjamin  Brown,  Concord,  Nov.  6,  1738. 

Nathaniel  Gunn,  Dec.  28,  1738. 

Samuel  Mitchel,  Dec.  28,  1738. 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY.  51 

William  Seott,  Oct.  9,  1739. 

David  Bekling,  Weathersfiekl,  Conn.,  Dec.  28,  1738. 

Andrew  Gardner,  Oct.  9,  1739. 

Abraham  Graves,  Hatfield,  Dec.  6,  1739. 

Timothy  Brown,  Brookfield,  Apr.  4,  1740. 

Rev.  Timothy  Harrington,  Cambridge,  Nov.  4,  1741. 

Nathaniel  Hammond,  Littleton,  Nov.  4,  1741. 

Thomas  Hammond,  Littleton,  Nov.  4,  1741. 

Eliakim  King,  1743. 

James  Ileaton,  Wrentham,  Nov.,  1743. 

Samuel  Bekling,  Weathersfiekl,  Conn.,  Dec.  12,  1743. 

William  Arms. 

Joseph  Hammond,  Littleton,  1744. 

Charles  Eames,  Sept.  28,  174G. 

Samuel  Chamberlain,  Sept.  28,  1746. 

Samuel  Hills,  jr.,  Sept.  28,  1746. 

Timothy  Hammond,  Littleton,  Sept.  27,  1746. 

Jonathan  Frary,  previous  to  1747. 

Of  these  thirty-three  persons  John  Evens  removed  about  1743  to 
Hinsdale;  Nathaniel  Hammond,  jr.,  died  Oct.  9,  1743;  Samuel  Gunn 
died  Nov.  7,  1743,  and  Timothy  Hammond  died  Sept.  27,  1746.  Dea- 
con Timothy  Brown  buried  two  wives;  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond  and 
Thomas  Hammond  each  buried  his  wife ;  William  Carr  buried  five 
children ;  Jonathan  Hammond  buried  three  and  a  number  of  others 
buried  one  child  each. 

The  plan  facing  page  46  may  be  regarded  as  a  nearly  correct  rep- 
resentation of  the  house  lots,  roads,  forts,  burying  ground  and  places 
where  the  settlers  had  located  previous  to  its  abandonment  and  de- 
struction by  fire  at  the  hands  of  the  Indians.  Among  those  whose 
location  is  doubtful  are  Jethro  Eames,  Andrew  Gardner  and  Samuel 
Mitchel.  We  infer  that  Joseph  Hammond,  Nathaniel  Hammond,  jr., 
Timothy  Hammond,  Charles  Eames,  Samuel  Chamberlain  and  Samuel 
Hills,  jr.,  were  young  men  without  families  and  we  have  given  them 
no  location  presuming  they  had  none  separate  from  that  of  their 
fathers. 

The  main  road  as  first  laid  out  as  represented  on  the  plan  of  the 
house  lots  was  where  the  road  now  is  at  the  north  and  south  ends,  and 
the  angle  was  on  the  hill.  The  road  ran  just  west  of  the  old  ceme- 
tery. The  northeast  corner  of  house  lot  No.  18  was  near  the  great 
surface  rock  on  the  Ezra  Carpenter  place.  The  road  that  was  sub- 
sequently laid  out  on  the  east  side  of  Meeting  House  hill  as  it  diverged 
from  the  main  road,  passed  through  what  is  now  the  southeast  corner 


52  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

» 

of  the  cemetery  and  near  the  hearse  house  leaving  the  small  hill  on 
the  east  side  of  the  road. 

The  brick  church  stands  on  house  lot  No.  24.  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Hammond's  house  lot  was  No.  27  on  which  was  erected  the  first  house 
and  around  which  was  built  the  first  fort.  At  present  it  is  the  Virgil 
Woodcock  place.  The  names  of  the  owners  and  occupants  of  the 
several  house  lots,  so  far  as  is  known,  at  the  time  the  town  Avas 
abandoned,  are  given  on  the  plan,  which  with  this  exception  is  a  fac- 
simile from  the  proprietors'  records. 

It  was  about  twelve  years  from  the  time  that  work  was  commenced 
in  the  township  to  the  time  it  was  abandoned.  During  this  time  much 
land  had  been  brought  under  cultivation,  many  houses  had  been  built, 
a  saw  and  grist  mill  constructed,  a  schoolhouse  erected,  a  chnrch  or- 
ganized and  a  minister  settled. 

The  settlers  scattered  among  their  friends  in  Massachusetts,  thank- 
ful that  they  had  escaped  captivity,  but  sorrowful  to  leave  their  newly 
found  homes  and  so  much  of  the  little  property  they  possessed  to  be 
destroyed  by  the  Indians. 

During  the  years  that  intervened  before  their  return  some  attempts 
were  made  to  realize  a  little  income  from  their  lauds  they  had  left. 
It  is  said  that  cattle  were  killed  at  Upper  Ashuelot  in  1 748,  and  it  was 
this  same  year  that  Taylor's  party  were  ambushed  while  on  their  way 
from  Northfield  to  the  places  of  the  Ashuelot  settlements.  Of  this 
part}'  were  Thomas  Cresson  who  was  captured ;  Asahel  Graves  who 
was  killed,  and  perhaps  others  of  the  settlers  who  were  anxious  to  view 
the  desolations  of  their  former  homes. 

In  1748  England  and  France  made  peace,  but  the  Indians  contin- 
ued their  raids  upon  the  frontier  settlements  till  1749.  Some  fami- 
lies may  have  returned  to  Lower  Ashuelot  as  early  as  1751,  but  prob- 
ably only  a  few  came  before  1752. 

The  township  was  chartered  by  New  Hampshire,  Julj'  2,  1753,  and 
took  the  name  of  Swanzey.  It  is  not  known  by  whose  influence  the 
town  took  this  name.  That  it  was  the  result  of  some  connection  that 
some  of  the  early  settlers  had  with  Swansea  in  Wales  is  prol)able.  It 
has  been  conjectured  that  some  of  the  first  settlers  were  from  Swan- 
sea, Massachusetts,  and  that  that  supposition  suggested  the  name. 
But  there  is  no  recorded  evidence  that  any  of  them  came  from  that 
town. 

By  the  New  Hampshire  charter  individuals  had  confirmed  to  them 
a  title  to  the  land  which  was  granted  by  Massachusetts.  Pine  trees 
for  masts  and  some  of  the  undivided  land  was  reserved  for  special 
uses  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  Charter. 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY.  53 


PROVINCE  OF  NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

George  the  second  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Brittain  France  & 
Ireland.,  King  Defender  of  the  Faith  &c.  To  all  'persons  to  lohom 
these  presents  shall  Come.,  Greeting. 

Whereas  sundry  of  our  loveing  Subjects  before  the  Settlement  of 
the  Dividing  Line  of  our  Province  of  New  Hampshire  afore-*^  and  our 
other  Government  of  tlie  Massachusetts  Bay  had  by  Permission  of 
our  said  Government  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  begun  a  Settlement 
of  A  Tract  of  Land  on  Ashuelott  River,  so  called,  and  made  Sundry 
Divisions  of,  and  Improvements  upon  the  s''  Tract  of  Land,  and  there 
remained  till  the  Indian  Warr  forced  them  off,  and  our  s'^  Subjects 
being  Desirous  to  make  an  Immediate  Settlement  on  the  Premises  and 
having  Petitioned  our  Governour  in  Council  for  his  Majestys  Grant 
of  the  Premisses  to  be  so  made  as  might  not  Subvert  and  Destroy  their 
former  Surveys  and  Laying  out  in  Severalty  made  thereon  as  afore- 
said :  NOW  KNOW  YE,  that  We,  of  our  Especial  Grace  Certain 
Knowledge  and  mere  Motion  for  the  answering  the  End  aboves*^,  and 
for  the  due  Encouragement  of  Settling  the  s''  Plantation,  By  and  with 
the  Advice  of  our  Trusty  and  well  Beloved  Benniug  Wentworth  Esq. 
our  Governour  &  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  our  s^'  Province  of 
New  Hampshire  in  America  and  of  our  Council  of  our  s'^  Province : 
Have  upon  the  Conditions  &  Reservations  herein  after  made.  Given 
and  Granted,  and  by  these  Presents  for  Us  our  Heirs  &  Successors  Do 
Give  and  Grant  unto  our  Loveing  Subjects  Inhabitants  of  our  s*^  Prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshire,  and  our  other  Governments  in  New  England, 
and  to  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  for  Ever,  whose  Names  are  Entered 
on  this  Grant,  To  be  Divided  to  &  amongst  them,  into  So  many  and 
such  Shares  and  Proportions  a^s  they  now  hold  or  Claim  the  same  by 
Purchase,  Contract,  Vote  or  Agreement  made  amongst  themselves. 
All  that  Tract  or  Parcel  of  Land,  Scituate,  Lying  and  being  within 
our  s*^  Province  of  New  Hampshire  containing  by  Admeasurement 
Twenty-three  thousand  and  forty  Acres  which  Tract  is  to  Contain  Six 
Miles  Square  and  no  more,  out  of  which  An  Allowance  is  to  be  made 
for  Highways  and  unimprovable  Land,  by  Rocks,  Mountains,  Ponds 
and  Rivers,  one  thousand  and  forty  Acres,  free  according  to  a  Plan 
thereof  made  and  Presented  by  our  s*^  Governour's  orders  &  hereunto 
Annexed,  Butted  &  Bounded  as  follows  (Viz)  Beginning  At  the  North 
East  corner  of  Wichester,  so  called,  at  a  Pine  tree.  Marked  :  thence 
running  South  by  the  Needle  till  it  comes  to  the  North  Westerly  cor- 


54 


HISTORY    OF   SWANZET. 


ner  of  Richmond,  so  called  :  from  thence  running  Easterly  by  Rich- 
mond about  Two  Miles  to  a  Corner,  from  thence  running  North  39  de- 
grees East  on  s'^  Richmond  about  Seven  Miles  till  it  comes  the  south 
easterly  corner  of  Keene,  so  called  :  from  thence  running  West  10^ 
degrees  North  six  miles  or  thereabouts  on  said  Keene  Line  to  a  Beach 
tree  marked  for  the  North  Easterly  corner  of  Chesterfield,  so  called  : 
from  thence  running  South  Thirty  five  degrees  West  on  s'^  Chester- 
field Line  to  the  S"  East  Corner  of  Chesterfield  :  from  thence  Easterly 
to  Winchester  Line  to  the  Bounds  first  mentioned.  And  that  the  same 
be  and  hereby  is  incorporated  into  a  Township  by  the  Name  of  Swan- 
zy — And  that  the  Inhabitants  that  do  or  Shall  hereafter  Inhabit  s'' 
Township,  Are  hereby  Declared  to  be  Enfranchised  with  &  Entitled 
to  all  &  every  the  Privileges  &  Immunities  that  other  Towns  within 
our  8*^  Province  by  Law  Exercise  and  Enjoy,  and  further  that  the  s'' 
Town  as  soon  as  there  shall  be  fifty  Families  resident  there,  shall  have 
the  Liberty  to  open  and  keep  a  Market  one  or  more  Days  in  Each 
Week  as  may  be  thought  most  Advantageous  to  the  Inhabitants.  Also 
that  the  first  Meeting  for  the  Choice  of  Town  Oflficers  &  other  Affairs 
agreeable  to  the  Laws  of  our  s**  Province  shall  be  held  on  the  first 
Tuesday  in  August  next,  which  Meeting  shall  be  Notified  by  Col. 
William  Symes  who  is  hereby  also  Appointed  the  Moderator  of  the 
s*^  first  Meeting,  which  he  is  to  Notify  and  Govern  agreeable  to  the 
LaAv  and  Custom  of  our  s*^  Province  and  the  Annual  Meeting  for  Ever 
after  for  the  Choice  of  such  Officers  for  the  s''  Town  shall  be  on  the 
first  Tuesday  in  March  Annually. 

TO  HAVE  AND  TO  HOLD  the  s'l  Tract  of  Land  as  above  Ex- 
pressed, together  with  all  the  Priviledges  &  Appurtenances  to  them  and 
their  respective  heirs  and  Assigns  for  Ever  ;  upon  the  following  Condi- 
tions (Viz)  That  every  Grantee  his  Heirs  &  Assigns  shall  Plant  or  Cul- 
tivate five  Acres  of  Land  within  the  Term  of  five  years,  for  every  fifty 
Acres  Contained  in  his  or  their  Share  or  Proportion  of  Land  in  the  s** 
Township,  And  Continue  to  Improve  and  Settle  the  same  by  addi- 
tional Cultivations  on  Penalty  of  the  forfeiture  of  his  Grant  or  Share 
in  the  s'^  Township  and  its  reverting  to  his  Majesty  his  Heirs  &  Suc- 
essors  to  be  by  him  or  them  regranted  to  such  of  his  Subjects,  as  shall 
Effectually  Settle  &  Cultivate  the  same.  That  all  White  and  other 
Pine  Trees  within  the  s*^"  Township  fit  for  Masting  our  Royal  Navy 
be  carefully  Preserved  for  that  Use  and  none  to  be  Cutt  or  fell'd  with- 
out his  Majestys  Especial  License  for  so  doing  first  had  and  obtained 
upon  the  Penalty  of  the  Forfeiture  of  the  Right  of  such  Grantee  his 
Heirs  or  Assigns,  to  Us  our  Heirs  &  Successors,  as  well  as  being  Sub- 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  55 

ject  to  the  Penalty  of  auy  Act  or  Acts  of  Parliament  that  now  are  or 
hereafter  shall  be  Enacted  ;  Also  reserveing  the  Power  of  Adding  to 
or  Dividing  the  s^'  Town,  So  far  as  it  relates  to  Incorporations  only  to 
Us  our  Heirs  &  Successors  when  it  shall  appear  necessary  or  Conven- 
ient for  the  Benefit  of  the  Inhabitants  thereof.  Also  Subjecting  the 
unimproved  Lands  within  this  Grant  to  the  annual  tax  of  one  Penny 
pr.  Acre  for  four  years  from  the  Date  hereof  for  building  a  Meeting- 
house and  Settling  a  Gospel  Minister  in  s"^  Town.  That  before  any 
further  Division  of  the  s^'  Land  be  made  to  &  amongst  the  Grantees  a 
Tract  of  Land  in  the  most  Commodious  Place  the  Land  will  Admit  of, 
shall  be  reserved  and  marked  out  for  Town  Lotts  one  of  w*"^'  shall  be 
Allotted  to  Each  Grantee  of  the  Contents  of  one  Acre.  YIELDING 
and  PAYING  therefor  to  us  our  Heirs  &  Successors  for  the  space  of 
ten  Years  to  be  Computed  from  the  Date  hereof  the  annual  Rent  of  one 
Ear  of  Indian  Corn  only  commencing  on  the  first  of  January  next  en- 
sueing  the  Date  hereof,  and  every  Proprietor,  Settler  or  Inhabitant  shall 
Y'ield  &  Pay  unto  Us  our  Heirs  &  Successors  Y'early  &  every  Year  for 
Ever,  from  &  after  the  Expiration  of  Ten  Y  ears  from  the  Date  hereof. 
Namely  on  the  first  day  of  Jan^"^  w''^^  will  be  in  the  Year  of  our  LORD 
CHRIST  One  thousand  Seaven  Hund.*^  &  Sixty  four.  One  Shilling 
Proclamation  money  for  every  hundred  Acres  he  so  owns,  Settles  or 
Posseses  &  so  in  proportion  for  a  Greater  or  Lesser  tract  of  the  ^'^ 
Land  w.'^^^  Money  shall  be  Paid  by  the  respective  persons  above®^, 
their  Heirs  or  Assigns,  in  our  Council  Chamber  in  Porstm.^  or  to  such 
OtHcer  or  Officers  as  shall  be  Appointed  to  receive  the  Same,  and  this 
to  be  in  Lieu  of  all  Rents  &  Services  whatsoever. — IN  WITNESS 
whereof  We  have  Caused  the  Seal  of  our  s*^  Province  to  be  hereunto 
Affixed. 

WITNESS  PENNING  WENTWORTH   ESQ.'"  our   Govern.^  & 
Command.'^'  in  Chief  of  our  s.''  Prov.^*^  the  2^  day  of  July  In  the  Year 
.of  our  LORD  CHRIST  1753,  And  in  the  21^^  Year  of  our  Reign. 

Benning  Wentworth. 

July  2«'  1753.     Province  of  New  Hampshire 
Recorded  in  the  Book  of  Charters  on 
Page  165-166-167. 

Theodore  Atkinson  Sec'"^'. 
By  his  Excellency's  Command 
with  Advice  of  the  Council. 

Theodore  Atkinson  Sc'^'^ 


56  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

NAMES  OF  THE  GRANTEES  OF  SWANZEY. 

Nathaniel  Hammond,  Abi'aham  Graves,  William  Grimes,  Benjamin 
Grant,  Thomas  Crisson,  Thomas  Crisson,  jun'",  William  Hill,  William 
Crison,  William  Carr,  Elijah  Graves,  Samnel  Belding,  Eliakim  King, 
Jonathan  Woodcock,  Joshua  Graves,  Abner  Graves,  David  Belding, 
Tim"  Brown,  James  Heatou,  James  Ileaton,  jun'",  William  Heatou, 
Samnel  Hills,  Nathaniel  Hills,  Jonathan  Woodcock,  jr.,  Jonathan 
Hammond,  Tho.®  Nutten,  Ebenezer  Hills,  John  Prat,  Timothy  Prat, 
Samuel  Prat,  Joseph  Hammond,  Thomas  Hammond,  Seth  Gay,  Asa 
Groat,  Christopher  Grant,  Daniel  Arms,  Ebenezer  Arms,  Nathaniel 
Gun,  Wyat  Gun,  Daniel  Gun,  Ebenezer  Sprage,  jr.,  Ebenezer  Sprage, 
Joseph  Marchant,  Noah  Bodman,  Benj^  Sheldiu,  Mark  Ferry,  Jona- 
than Frazey,  John  Frazey,  Phineas  Frazey,  Jonathan  Armes,  Jona- 
than Bodwell,  Oliver  Witt,  Oliver  Hammond,  Joshua  Prime,  Joseph 
Write,  Benjamin  Brown,  Simon  Davis,  Samuel  McCleanen,  Zebulon 
Ballord,  Stephen  Nutten,  Caezer  Freeman,  Samuel  Gaylord,  James 
Blood,  jr.,  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth,  Esq''.  A  Tract  of  Land 
Containing  five  hundred  acres,  one  seventieth  parte  of  s.''  Tract  of 
Land  for  the  incorporation  Society,  for  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel 
in  forreign  Parts,  one  Seventieth  Parte  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  for 
the  first  Settled  Minister  of  the  Gospel  in  the  said  Town,  one  Seven- 
tieth Parte  of  the  s*^  Granted  Track  for  a  Glebe  for  the  Church  of 
England,  as  by  Law  Established. 

Prov :  New  Hampshire.  Entered  &  Recorded  Accordingly  in  the 
book  of  Charters  this  2^  day  of  July  1753  on  Page  167-168. 

P*"  Theodork  Atkinson,  Sec''^'. 

Recorded  from  the  back  of  the  original  Charter  for  the  2**  day  of 
July,  1753. 

The  accompanying  plans  from  the  back  of  the  charter  give  the 
bounds  respectively  after  the  territory  belonging  to  Winchester  in  the^ 
southwest  corner  had  been  taken  out,  and  after  the  Richmond  gore  on 
the  east  had  been  annexed  in  1762.  Subsequent  changes  in  the  east- 
erly boundary  have  been  as  follows: — in  1812  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  town  was  annexed  to  Keene  ;  in  1793  and  1842  portions  adjoin- 
ing Marlborough  were  annexed  to  that  town,  and  in  1815  a  part  of 
Swanzey  was  taken  to  help  form  the  town  of  Troy. 

It  vvas  about  nineteen  years  from  the  time  that  Lower  Ashuelot  was 
granted  by  Massachusetts  to  the  time  the  township  was  chartered  by 
New  Hampshire.  Only  four  names  appear,  both  among  the  Massachu- 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY.  57 

setts  and  New  Hampshire  grantees.     These  are  Nathaniel  Hammond, 
Jonathan  Hannnond,  William  Carr  and  James  Heaton. 

The  following  New  Hampshire  grantees  had  resided  in  the  town- 
ship before  it  was  abandoned,  many  of  them  coming  before  they  had 
reached  their  majority  :  Abraham  Graves,  William  Grimes,  Thomas 
Cresson,  Thomas  Cresson,  jr.,  William  Hill,  William  Cressou,  William 
Carr,  Elijah  Graves,  Samuel  Belding,  Eliakim  King,  Joshua  Graves, 
David  Belding,  Timothy  Brown,  Wm.  Heaton,  Samuel  Hills,  Nathaniel 
Hills,  Ebenezer  Hills,  Joseph  Hammond,  Thomas  Hammond,  Daniel 
Amies,  Ebenezer  Amies,  Nathaniel  Gunn,  AVyat  Gunn,  Daniel  Gunu, 
Mark  Ferry,  Jonathan  Armes,  Oliver  Hammond,  Benjamin  Brown. 
Other  grantees  who  subsequently  became  inhabitants  of  the  town  and 
whose  names  appear  on  the  records  are  Jonathan  Woodcock,  Jonathan 
Woodcock,  jr.,  P^benezer  Sprague  and  Ebenezer  Sprague,  jr.  Most 
of  the  other  grantees  never  became  residents  of  the  town. 

It  appears  that  both  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire  considered 
it  indispensable  when  granting  a  new  township  that  provision  should 
be  made  for  having  a  meeting-house  built  immediately  when  a  settle- 
ment had  been  made.  For  this  purpose  Massachusetts  required  each 
grantee  to  pay  five  pounds  for  one  share  in  the  township.  This 
money,  after  paying  the  expense  of  surveying  the  boundary  of  the 
town  and  laying  out  the  house  lots  was  for  building  a  meeting-house. 
New  Hampshire  provided  for  a  meeting-house  by  the  penny  tax. 

A  meeting-house  would  doubtless  have  been  built  during  the  first 
years  of  the  settlement  had  there  been  no  Indian  Avar.  After  the  re- 
settlement the  building  was  soon  commenced,  and  was  so  far  com- 
pleted as  to  be  used  in  1755.  It  is  not  known  whether  it  was  built 
entirely  by  the  penny  tax  or  in  part  by  the  five-pound  tax  imposed 
upon  the  first  grantees  by  Massachusetts. 

When  the  settlers  returned  to  the  township  they  hoped  for  no  more 
trouble  from  the  Indians,  but  their  hopes  were  soon  dissipated.  Eng- 
land and  France  were  again  at  war  and  the  French  authorities  in 
Canada  encouraged  the  Indians  to  renew  the  war  upon  the  frontier 
settlements.  Swauzey  was  in  constant  danger.  The  people  worked 
in  their  fields  with  a  guard  of  soldiers  to  protect  them.  Ncav  Hamp- 
shire furnished  some  soldiers  for  this  purpose  but  the  number  was 
insufficient  to  give  them  security. 

On  account  of  the  unsettled  state  of  affairs  only  a  few  persons  came 
to  the  township  to  make  a  settlement  between  the  years  1752  and  1762 
except  those  who  had  previously  resided  here.  Rev.  Ezra  Carpenter 
came  in  1753;  Israel  Day's  name  appears  soon  after;  William 
Wright's  in  1758  and  Joseph  Whitcomb's  in  1760. 


58  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

Richmond  was  chartered  February  28,  1752,  and  iucluded  witliiuits 
boiiuds  a  piece  of  land  lying  between  Swanzey  on  the  west  and  Fitz- 
william  and  Marlborough  on  the  east,  and  extending  north  to  Keene 
line.  This  piece  of  laud  was  disannexed  from  Richmond  and  annexed 
to  Swanzey,  Dec.  11,  1762.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  grant  by 
which  the  transfer  was  made  : 

PROVINCE  OF  NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

George   the    Third   by   the 
(Seal.)  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Brit- 

TiAN  Trusting  in  the  Faith  &c. 

To  all  To  whom  these  Presents  may  concern.  Whereas  our  Loyal 
Subjects  inhabiting  the  Town  of  Richmond  and  Swanzey  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshire,  have  humbly  represented  to  Us,  That  to 
them  the  said  Inhabitants,  to  have  part  of  the  said  Town  of  Richmond 
taken,  without  making  any  Alterations  in  the  Private  property  of 
Either  Community  Praying  that  the  dividing  Line  of  said  Towns  be 
altered  in  the  following  Manner  :  Beginning  at  the  North  West  corner 
of  Lott  No.  23  in  the  Seventh  Range  of  Lots  in  said  Richmond  in  the 
Line  of  the  same  Town  :  Then  running  Due  E.  to  the  Easterly  Line  of 
the  same  Town,  then  on  the  East  Line  of  said  Richmond  to  said  Town 
of  Swanzey.  KNOW  YE  THEREFORE  that  we  have  taken  into  our 
consideration  the  Matter  of  said  Petition  and  it  appearing  Conducive 
to  the  ease  and  good  order  of  both  Communities,  as  well  as  forwarding 
the  Cultivation  of  the  Land  there,  Have  by,  and  with  advice  of  our 
trusty  and  well  beloved  Penning  Weutworth  P!^sq.  our  Captain  Gen- 
eral, Governor  &  Commander  in  Chief,  of  our  Council  for  said  Prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshii'e.  And  by  these  Presents  Do  alter  the  dividing 
Line  between  the  said  toAvns  of  Richmond  and  Swanzey  agreeable  to 
the  said  Petition  and  in  manner  as  before  set  forth  and  also  agreeable 
to  the  Plan  hereunto  annexed. 

In  witness  Whereof,  We  have  caused  the  seal  of  our  said  Province 
to  be  hereunto  affixed.  Witness  Penning  WentAvorth  Esq.  our  afore- 
said Governor  &  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  our  said  Province 
of  New  Hampshire  the  eleventh  day  of  December  in  the  Third  year 
of  our  Reign,  anno  domini  1762. 

By  his  Excelleneys  Command  Penning  Wentworth 

with  advice  of  Council  Province  of  New  Hampshire 

T.  Atkinson  Jr.,  Sect>  Dec.  13,  1762.     Recorded  according 

to  the  original  under  the  Province  Seal. 
T.  Atkinson,  Jur.,  Secty. 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


59 


Original  Plan  of  Town. 


Easterly 


2  Miles. 


8) 

•■$■  • 


J'/ 


s- 


ca 


o 

S 
>^ 


S.  SO.i'  E.  3|  Miles  & 


40  RoUds. 


Proviuce  of  New  Hampshire  Decern''.  13*^  1762. 
Recorded  from  the  back  of  the  original,  under  the  Province  Seal. 

(gp  T.  Atkinson  Jun.  Sec'y. 


State  of  New  Hampshire,  March  4,  1882,  Secretary's  Office. 

The  foregoing  is  a  correct  copy  of  the  record  :  In  testi- 
[Seal.]  mony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  subscribed  my  official 

signature,  and  affixed  the  Seal  of  the  State. 
Isaac  W.  Hammond, 

Deputy  Secretary  of  State. 


60  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Previous  to  this  transfer  a  large  part  of  the  gore  had  been  survej'ed 
and  laid  out  in  about  one-hundred  acre  lots,  but  very  few,  if  any, 
settlements  had  been  made  in  it.  Josiah  Willard  of  Winchester  was 
the  owner  of  a  large  part  of  this  territory.  Daniel  Warner  and  Isaac 
Applin  were  also  owners.  The  proprietors  of  the  old  part  of  Swan- 
zey  did  not  become  owners  of  the  new  by  annexation.  Tlie  owner- 
ship came  through  the  grant  to  the  proprietors  of  Richmond.  Feb.  6, 
1760,  the  proprietors  of  the  old  part  of  Swanzey  voted  fifty  acres  of 
the  undivided  lands  to  the  OAvuer  of  each  house  lot.  This  made  the 
seventh  division ;  the  previous  ones  having  been  a  house  lot  of  four 
acres,  a  meadow  lot  of  eight  acres,  and  one  of  twenty  acres,  an  up- 
land lot  of  about  sixty-eight  acres,  a  one-hundred  acre  lot,  and  prob- 
ably a  Mark  Meadow  lot  of  about  four  acres, — all  of  which  amounted 
to  two-hundred  and  fifty-four  acres.  As  some  of  the  proprietors 
owned  a  number  of  house  lots  they  must  have  been  large  land  owners. 
The  amount  of  xuidivided  land  that  remained  after  this  seventh  divi- 
sion Avas  made,  and  which  was  subsequently  divided,  was  about 
seventy  acres  to  each  house  lot,  making  all  the  divisions  to  each 
right  about  three-hundred  and  twei\ty-four  acres. 

The  subsequent  divisions  of  the  undivided  lauds,  together  Avith  the 
proceedings  of  the  proprietors  in  distinction  from  those  of  the  town, 
may  here  be  given. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  held  October  8,  1760,  it  was  decided 
to  open  the  Great  Meadows  on  the  following  Saturday  for  turning  in 
cattle  ;  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to  judge  of  the  interest  which 
each  proprietor  had  in  the  meadow,  and  decide  the  number  of  cattle 
that  each  might  turn  into  it.  In  1762,  Oct.  13th,  the  proprietors  voted 
that  a  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  equal  to  one  seventieth  part  of  the  land 
in  the  township  should  be  laid  out  for  a  Glebe,  and  also  a  tract  of 
equal  size  for  the  Incorporated  Society  for  the  propagation  of  the 
gospel  in  Foreign  Parts  as  directed  by  the  charter.  These  two  lots 
containing  286  acres  each  Avere  laid  out  Dec.  1,  1769,  by  DaA'id  Beld- 
ing,  Elijah  GraA'es  and  Thomas  Crcsson,  jr.,  committee.  They  were 
located  in  the  north  or  northwest  part  of  the  toAvn,  both  bounding  on 
Keene  line.  The  Glebe  was  nearly  a  perfect  square,  Avhile  the  bounds 
of  the  other  lot  located  immediately  east  of  the  Glebe  were  someAvhat 
irregular. 

April  18,  1774,  it  was  voted  to  make  an  eightli  division  of  land, 
laying  out  to  each  house  lot  .50  acres.  The  committee  cliosen  to  super- 
intend this  laying  out  consisted  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Hammond,  DaA'id 
Belding,  Benjamin  Brown,  William  Carr  and  Joseph  Hammond.  It  AA'as 


GENERAL   OUTLINE   HISTORY.  61 

voted  that  when  there  was  a  piece  of  undivided  land  Ij'ing  between 
lots  which  had  been  already  laid  out,  of  less  than  fifty  acres,  such 
pieces  might  be  taken  up  as  a  part  of  a  fifty  acre  division  and  then 
enough  land  could  be  selected  in  some  other  part  of  the  undivided  land 
to  make  up  fifty  acres.  The  making  of  the  eighth  division  began  the 
first  day  of  September,  1774,  and  every  proprietor  was  required  to 
make  his  pitch  on  the  day  when  his  turn  came.  Any  one  making  an 
eighth  division  pitch  could  not  throw  it  up  when  once  made  and  make 
a  new  selection. 

After  some  forty  years  had  passed  from  the  time  that  the  third  and 
fourth  divisions  were  made,  the  proprietors  began  to  experience  much 
difficulty  about  the  bounds  of  their  respective  lots.  These  had  not 
been  well  established,  and  the  records  pertaining  to  them  were  quite 
defective.  It  was  not  known  in  all  cases  when  these  lots  were  laid, 
nor  just  where  the  east  line  of  the  township  ran.  The  consequence 
was  that  some  of  the  lots  were  laid  out  in  Richmond.  There  was  also 
difficulty  about  the  fiftli  and  seventh  divisions  falling  short  when  ac- 
curately measured.  Some  of  the  pi'oprietors  had  never  come  to  the 
township  to  reside  ;  others  had  sold  their  rights  to  parties  unknown  to 
the  proprietors  living  in  the  town.  To  effect  a  satisfactory  settlement 
of  the  difficulty,  proprietors'  meetings  Avere  held,  votes  passed,  and 
committees  chosen. 

March  10,  1780,  Col.  Joseph  Hammond,  Benjamin  Brown,  David 
Belding,  Dea.  Thomas  Hammond  and  Maj.  Elisha  Whitcomb  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  settle  the  bounds  of  the  third  and  fourth  di- 
vision lots  and  make  a  return  of  their  doings  to  the  proprietors. 
This  was  done  and  their  report  recorded  at  length  in  their  book  of 
records. 

Another  committee,  consisting  of  Joseph  Hammond,  David  Beld- 
ing and  Benjamin  Brown,  was  chosen  soon  after  to  make  up  to  owners 
of  the  fifth  and  seventh  division  lots  the  amount  of  land  wanting  to 
make  their  one-hundred  and  fifty  acres  respectively.  The  owners  of 
the  third  division  lots  which  were  found  to  have  been  laid  out  in 
Richmond  were  also  compensated  by  having  other  lots  laid  out  for 
them  within  the  lawful  bounds  of  the  proprietors'  land. 

At  a  meeting  held  May  16,  1791,  it  was  voted  that  those  who  had 
not  received  their  quota  of  land  already  granted  might  have  till  the 
last  Tuesday  in  November  of  that  year  to  complete  the  laying  out  of 
their  land  in  those  divisions. 

Col.  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  Capt.  Elijah  Belding,  Lieut.  Roger  Thomp- 
son, David  Belding,  jr.,  and  Isaac  Hammond  were  chosen  a  committee 


62  HISTOKY    OF    SWANZEY. 

to  finish  the  laying  out  of  the  land  in  all  of  the  divisions  which  had 
been  made. 

Novembei*  11,  1803,  it  was  voted  to  lay  out  a  ninth  division  of  the 
undivided  land,  each  lot  to  contain  ten  acres.  The  committee  chosen 
for  the  purpose  consisted  of  Francis  Goodhue,  Elijah  Belding,  Jona- 
than Hammond,  Elisha  Whitcomb  and  Philemon  Whitcomb.  Elijah 
Belding,  jr.,  was  soon  after  added  to  this  committee. 

The  location  of  the  pitches  was  to  commence  the  first  Monday  in 
May,  1804,  and  each  proprietor  had  to  make  his  pitch  at  his  own  cost. 
June  7,  1809,  Jonathan  Hammond,  Elijah  Belding  and  Elijah  Beld- 
ing, jr.,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  survey  the  undivided  lands.  Oc- 
tober ninth  of  the  same  year  a  division  of  nine  acres  of  undivided  laud 
was  made  to  each  right.  The  proprietors  drew  for  their  pitches  and 
the  first  Monday  in  the  following  November  was  decided  upon  to 
commence  drawing  for  their  pitches  in  the  tenth  division.  Voted  to 
assess  each  share  in  the  undivided  land  equally  to  pay  the  expense  of 
the  committee  for  the  survey  of  the  undivided  lands.  The  committee 
for  laying  out  the  tenth  division  consisted  of  Elijah  Belding,  jr., 
Elijah  Belding  and  Jonatlian  Hammond.  Abijah  Sawyer  was  chosen 
collector  of  the  tax  to  be  assessed.  This  lay-out  committee  charged 
for  fifty-one  days'  work. 

Ma}'  7,  1833,  the  proprietors  met  at  the  old  Meeting  House  and  vo- 
ted to  make  an  eleventh  division  of  the  undivided  land  of  three  acres 
to  each  right  or  house  lot. 

Capt.  Edward  Goddard  and  William  Wright  were  chosen  to  make 
the  draft  for  the  division,  and  the  first  of  October  was  fixed  as  the 
time  to  commence  the  division. 

The  last  meeting  of  the  proprietors  held  for  the  choice  of  officers 
was  on  February  4,  1833,  at  which  time  John  Stratton  was  chosen 
moderator;  Luther  Browne,  proprietors'  clerk  ;  Lutlier  Browne,  Hub- 
bard Williams  and  Elijah  Carpenter,  proprietors'  committee.  Some 
of  the  pitches  in  the  eleventh  division  were  not  made  for  some  years 
after  this  time.  The  folloAving  is  the  last  record  made  in  the  proprie- 
tors' book. 

Swanzey,  June  8,  1861.  This  certifies  that  I,  William  P.  Gunn, 
have  bought  three  rights  of  common  land  in  the  Division  No.  1 1  of 
the  heirs  of  Philemon  Whitcomb,  three  acres  each,  and  have  made  a 
pitch  on  land  called  Picked  Mountain,  bounding  on  land  of  Bailey 
Corliss  and  common  laud. 

Hlbbard  Williams. 

Proprietors'  Clerk. 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  63 

The  first  record  made  in  the  books  was  June  27,  1734,  at  Con- 
cord, Mass.,  being  nineteen  days  less  than  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
seven  years  from  the  period  at  which  the  last  was  made. 

It  will  be  perceived  that  in  the  early  years  of  the  settlement  the 
proprietors  had  charge  not  only  of  the  land,  but  of  municipal  matters 
in  the  township  also.  No  records  of  the  town  as  such,  in  distinction 
from  those  of  the  proprietors,  are  to  be  found  previous  to  1766,  at 
which  date  they  commence. 

During  the  ten  years  which  elapsed  from  the  resettlement  of  the  town 
in  1752  to  the  annexation  of  the  Richmond  gore  in  1762  the  settlements 
increased  but  slowly.  The  fact  that  the  township  proved  to  be  in 
New  Hampshire  instead  of  Massacliusetts,  the  fear  of  Indian  raids 
and  the  peculiar  manner  in  which  the  laud  in  the  township  was  laid  out 
and  divided,  —  all  had  a  tendency  to  deter  persons  from  coming  hither 
to  settle.  It  could  not  have  been  pleasant  to  go  to  the  field  or  to 
church  with  gun  in  hand  for  protection,  or  with  soldiers  to  guard  them 
while  worshipping  or  laboring.  But  this  was  the  state  of  affairs  much 
of  the  time  during  this  period.  As  the  land  was  laid  out,  first  the 
meadows  and  then  the  upland,  and  all  after  the  fourth  divisions  pitched 
anywhere  and  in  all  manners  of  shapes,  it  left  between  the  pitches 
pieces  of  undivided  land  often  very  irregular  in  shape  and  poorly  adapt- 
ed for  farms  or  settlement. 

After  the  Richmond  gore  was  annexed  to  Swanzey  in  1762  the  lots 
were  purchased  quite  rapidly  and  settlements  made  upon  them,  and 
there  was  increased  activity  in  settling  the  old  part  of  the  township. 
Previous  to  this  time  France  had  lost  its  Canadian  possessions  and 
there  was  no  power  to  incite  the  Indians  to  continue  depredations  up- 
on the  settlement,  and  one  could  come  and  locate  and  commence 
making  a  home  without  danger  of  being  molested  by  the  Indians. 

In  June,  1 765,  a  powerful  hurricane  passed  over  the  town.  The  meet- 
ing house  on  the  hill  was  turned  one  quarter  around  and  considerably 
damaged.  The  repairing  of  these  damages  and  some  other  repairs 
on  the  house  were  done  nominally  by  the  town,  or  hy  the  proprietors, 
the  leading  and  substantial  men  among  them  doing  the  work  for 
which  the  sum  of  £214  was  paid. 

There  was  a  large  increase  of  inhabitants  in  the  town  between  1762 
and  1777.  This  was  largely  made  up  of  young  men  who  came  and 
established  permanent  homes,  and  many  of  whom  eventually  became 
prominent  and  influential  citizens. 

The  following  are  names  of  persons  who  settled  in  the  town  during 
this  period  : 


64  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Thomas  Applin,  John  Applin,  Timoth}^  Brown  Applin  (the  first 
person  on  record  in  town  with  more  than  two  names),  Isaac  Applin, 
Daniel  Bishop,  Timothy  Bishop,  Joseph  Cummings,  P^phraim  C'um- 
mings,  Thaddens  Cummings,  Enoch  Cummings,  Nehemiah  Cummings, 
Caleb  Cook,  Nathaniel  Dickinson,  Joseph  Dickinson,  Benjamin  Day, 
Joshua  Durant,  Levi  Durant,  John   Follett,  jr.,  Benjamin  Follett, 
Stoddard  Frazy,  Calvin  Frink,  John  Frazy,  Asa  Freeman,  Thomas 
Greene,  Joseph  Greene,  Abraham  Gritlith,  Moses  Griffith,  Edward 
Goddard,  Edward  Hazen,  Benjamin  Hazen,  IMichael  Ileft'eron,  Den- 
nis Hefferon,  Simeon  Howes,  Kimber  Harve3%  Timothy  Harvey,  P"ph- 
raim   Harvey,  Benjamin  Hewes,  Benjamin  Hewes,  jr.,  Charles  Howe, 
Theodore  Howe,  Uriah  Howe,  Willard  Hunt,  Pelitia  Kaze}-,  Jethro 
Kimball,  Eli   Kimball,  Elkanah   Lane,  Elkanah   Lane,  jr.,  Sanmel 
Lane,  Justus  Lawrence,  Henry  Morse,  Jonathan  Nichols,  jr.,  Andrew 
Nichols,  Elijah  Osgood,  Aaron  Parsons,  Samuel  Page,  John  Plane, 
Amasa  Parker,  Nathaniel  Patten,  Josiah  Prime,  Simeon  Puffer,  Amos 
Puffer,  Josiah  Read,  Cornelius  Roberts,  John  Rugg,  Penticost  Stanley, 
Benjamin  Starkey,  Enoch  Starkey,  Joseph  Starkey,  John  Starkey, 
John  Starkey,  jr.,  John  Thompson,  Roger/fhompson,  Samuel  Thomp- 
son, Ebenezer  Thompson,  Annanius  Tubbs,  Daniel  Warner,  James 
Wheelock,    Ezekiel   White,    David  White,  John   Whitcomb,  Moses 
Boardman  Williams,    Joseph   Whitcomb,    jr.,    Jonathan  Whitcomb, 
Elisha  Whitcomb,  Philemon  Whitcomb,  Abijah  Whitcomb. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  war  there  were  in  the 
town  a  number  of  men  able  to  do  militar}'  duty  who  came  to  the  town 
when  lads  with  their  parents,  or  who  had  been  born  in  the  town.  Of 
this  number  were  Elijah  Belding,  David  Belding,  2'',  Moses  Belding, 
Samuel  Belding,  2^',  Eleazar  Brown,  Wright  Brown,  Thomas  Cresseu, 
2^,  Nathan  Cressen,  Joseph  Day,  Amos  Day,  Jonathan  Dsiy,  Daniel 
Day,  Joshua  Graves,  Abner  Graves,  Elijah  Graves,  William  Grimes, 
2'S  James  Grimes,  Isaac  Hammond,  Benjamin  Hammond,  Joseph 
Hammond,  2'',  James  Heaton,  2'\  Samuel  Heaton,  Nathaniel  lleaton, 
Nathaniel  Hills,  Nathaniel  Hills,  2'',  Samuel  Hills,  2^',  Samuel  Hills, 
3*^,  Ebenezer  Hills,  Nathan  Woodcock,  Samuel  Wright. 

March  4,  1 7G6,  the  town  "voted  to  build  a  good  and  sufficient  pound 
thirty-five  foot  square  in  the  highway  at  the  end  of  John  Fraz^^'s  house 
lot."  This  pound,  or  one  thai  replaced  it,  is  remembered  by  our  older 
citizens  as  standing  on  the  east  side  of  the  old  road  near  the  south- 
east corner  of  the  present  cemetery. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  the  annual  March  meeting  in  1771  : 
"  At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Swanzey  legally  meet  at  the 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY.  65 

meeting  house  in  said  Swanzey  on  Tuesday  the  fifth  day  of  March, 
1771,  the  meeting  being  opened,  Capt.  Joseph  Hammond  was  chosen 
moderator,  then  the  meeting  was  adjourned  for  the  space  of  half  an 
hour  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Lieut.  Jonathan  Whitcomb.  Re-assem- 
bled at  the  time  and  i)lace  appointed.  Thomas  Applin  was  chosen 
Town  Clerk.  Thomas  Applin,  Samuel  Hills,  Benjamin  Brown,  David 
Belding  and  Elijah  Graves  chosen  selectmen.  Voted  that  the  select- 
men be  assessors.  Caleb  Sawyer  was  chosen  constable  ;  Capt  Joseph 
Hammond  chosen  Town  Treasurer ;  Thomas  Hammond  and  Amasa 
Parker  chosen  Tythingmeu ;  Lieut.  Joseph  Whitcomb,  Joseph  Cum- 
mings,  Henry  Morse,  David  Belding,  Roger  Thompson  and  Benjamin 
Brown  chosen  Surveyors  of  High  Wayes.  Elisha  Scott  and  Elijah 
Belding  chosen  Fence  Viewers  ;  John  Starkey  Sen.  Dear  Reef ;  Wyat 
Gunn,  Ebenezer  Hills  and  Jonathan  Woodcock  jr.  chosen  Hog  Reaves  ; 
Nathan  Scott  and  Gardner  Duston  chosen  Field  Drivers  ;  Samuel 
Belding  chosen  Sealer  of  Leather.  Voted  to  accept  of  the  settlement 
of  accounts  with  Capt.  Jonathan  Hammond  as  Treasurer  for  the  year 
17G8  and  1769  as  presented  to  the  town  by  the  Selectman. 

Voted  to  raise  forty  pounds  lawful  money  to  make  and  repair  roads. 

Voted  that  labor  at  the  roads  be  set  at  two  shillings  and  eight  pence- 
per  day  from  the  first  day  of  Apr.  to  the  first  day  of  Oct.,  and  the 
rest  of  the  year  at  two  shillings  per  day. 

Voted,  that  swine  may  go  at  large  on  the  common  yoked  and  ringed 
according  to  law,  from  the  first  of  April  to  the  last  day  of  October. 

JcsEPH  Hammond,  Moderator." 

The  common  practice  in  those  early  days  of  adjourning  for  one- 
half  or  one-fourth  of  an  hour  from  the  meeting  house  to  some  dwell- 
ing  house  was  doubtless  occasioned  by  the  fact  that  the  meeting  honse 
was  cold,  there  being  in  it  neither  stove  nor  fireplace  nor  any  other 
apparatus  for  warming  it.  Some  of  the  more  uncharitable,  however, 
think  it  was  another  kind  of  fire  which  our  forefathers  indulged  in 
that  was  the  occasion  of  these  adjournments. 

At  a  town  meeting  Nov.  8,  1771,  it  was  "voted  to  allow  Capt. 
Jonathan  Hammond  two  pound  eight  shillings  lawful  money  for  going 
twice  to  Worcester  to  Mr.  Putnam's  on  the  town's  business." 

Nearly  all  the  men  in  the  town  rendered  some  kind  of  service  for 

the  revolutionary  cause  during  the   years,  1775-76-77.     Men   that 

were  too  old  for  military  service  and  had  the  means  hired  men  for  the 

army  or  loaned  to  the  town  to  enable  it  to  hire  soldiers.     The  follow- 

5 


66  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

ing  voles  passed  at  different  times  indicate  the  feeling  in  this  town 
in  regard  to  the  impending  struggle. 

May  8,  1775.  "  Voted  that  Samuel  Hills  be  appointed  a  Deputy 
to  represent  this  town  at  the  Convention  of  Deputies  proposed  to  be 
held  at  Exeter  on  the  17*''  day  of  this  instant,  and  that  he  be  fully  im- 
powered  and  authorized  in  behalf  of  this  town  to  join  with  Deputies 
of  other  towns  in  adopting  and  pursuing  such  measures  as  may  be 
judged  most  expedient  to  pursue  to  restore  the  rights  of  this  and  the 
other  colonies,  and  that  he  be  impowered  as  aforesaid  to  act  for  the 
space  of  six  months  if  the  said  Convention  of  Deputies  shall  judge  it 
to  be  necessary." 

Dec.  18.  "  Voted,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  town  that  Col. 
Joseph  Hammond,  TNfaj.  Elisha  Whitcomb,  Capt.  Joseph  Whilcomb, 
jr.,  Capt.  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  Mr.  Thomas  Hammond,  Mr.  Benja- 
min Brown,  and  Lieut,  Daniel  Warner  be  chosen  a  Committee  of  Safety 
agreeable  to  the  advice  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  we  acknowl- 
edge them  a  Committee  of  Safety  for  this  town,  and  we  approve  of 
wliat  they  have  acted  in  that  capacity." 

March  4,  1 777.  "  Voted  to  dismiss  the  present  Committee  of  Safety 
and  choose  a  new  one,  and  accordingly  made  choice  of  Samuel  Day, 
Calvin  Frink,  Capt.  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  Lieut.  Elisha  Whitcomb, 
and  Lieut.  Elijah  Belding." 

The  Committee  of  Safety  was  composed  of  some  of  the  most  influ- 
ential and  enterprising  men  of  the  town,  and  to  them  were  confided 
matters  of  great  public  interest. 

The  commencement  of  the  year  1778  found  the  people  of  the  Amer- 
ican colonies,  who  had  revolted  from  the  British  government,  much  en- 
couraged for  the  success  of  their  cause.  Burgoyne  with  his  splendid 
army  had  surrendered  and  become  prisoners  of  war.  INIeasures  were 
being  taken  to  unite  the  colonies  in  a  general  government,  and  to  ma- 
ture plans  for  state  and  local  governments.  The  action  of  the  voters 
of  Swanzey,  Jan.  22,  1778,  was  such  as  to  show  that  the  public  sen- 
timeut  of  the  town  was  in  full  sympathy  with  those  who  were  engaged 
in  planning  systems  of  federal  and  state  governments.  At  a  special 
town  meeting  it  was  "  voted  that  this  town  approves  of  the  Articles 
of  Confederation  and  perpetual  union  between  the  United  States  of 
America  as  proposed  by  the  Continental  Congress,  and  desire  that  the 
same  may  be  ratified  and  confirmed." 

"  Voted,  that  our  representative  at  the  General  Court  be  instructed 
to  concur  witli  the  representatives  of  the  other  towns  in  this  state  for 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  67 

the  sole  purpose  of  forming  and  laying  a  permanent  plan  or  system 
for  the  future  government  of  this  state  agreeably  to  the  vote  of  the 
General  Court." 

May  12,  1778.  "  Voted  to  send  one  man  to  meet  with  the  Conven- 
tion at  Concord  the  tenth  day  of  June  next,  and  Calvin  Frink  Esq. 
was  chosen." 

Dec.  3,  1778,  the  legal  voters  of  Swanzey  and  Fitzwilliam,  which 
towns  were  classed  together,  having  been  duly  notified,  met  at  the  house 
of  Lieut.  Henry  Morse  to  choose  a  person  having  a  real  estate  of  two 
hundred  pounds  lawful  mone}'^  in  this  state,  to  represent  them  in  the 
General  Assembly  to  be  held  at  Exeter  on  the  third  Wednesday  of 
December,  and    "  to  empower  such  representative  for   the  term  of 
one  year  from  this  meeting  to  transact  such  business  and  pursue  such 
measures  as  they  may  judge  necessary  for  the  public  good,  and  par- 
ticularly to  impower  such  representative  to  vote  in  the  choice  of  Del- 
egates to  the  Continental  Congress."     Major  Elisha  Whitcomb  was 
the  person  chosen,  who  was  likewise  authorized  to  vote  for  delegates 
to  the  Congress.     Mr.  Morse,  at  the  time  the  foregoing  meeting  was 
held  at  his  house,  resided  in  that  part  of  Swanzey  which  was  subse- 
quently disnnnexed  to  help  form  the  town  of  Troy.     At  the  time  of  ■ 
the  meeting  much  of  the  travel  from  Cheshire  county  and  the  Connec- 
ticut valley  for  Boston  went  down  through  Swanzey  Centre  and  up 
over  the  hill  where  Mr.  Morse  kept  a  public  house.     An  old  cellar 
hole  now  marks  the  place  where  the  meeting  was  held. 

During  the  "  Vermont  Controversy,"  relative  to  the  boundary  and 
status  of  that  territory,  1777-1783,  the  western  part  of  New  Hamp- 
shire was  much  agitated  and  public  sentiment  very  much  divided  be- 
tween those  that  wished  to  unite  with  Vermont  and  those  that  wished 
to  continue  their  connection  with  New  Hampshire.  In  many  towns 
a  majority  of  the  voters  were  in  favor  of  uniting  with  Vermont.  Among 
them  were  Alstead,  Charlestown,  Claremont,  Chesterfield,  Gilsum, 
Hinsdale,  Marlow,  Richmond,  Surry  and  Westmoreland. 

Belknap  in  his  history  of  New  Hampshire  says  —  "The  state  of 
society  within  the  seceding  towns  at  this  time  was  very  unhappy. 
The  majorities  attempted  to  control  the  minorities  ;  and  these  were 
not  disposed  to  submit,  but  to  seek  protection  of  the  government  with 
which  they  had  been  connected.  At  the  same  time  and  in  the  same 
place  Justices,  Sheriffs  and  Constables,  appointed  by  the  authority 
of  both  States,  were  exercising  jurisdiction  over  the  same  persons. 
Party  rage,  high  words  and  deep  resentment,  were  the  effects  of  these 
clashing  interests."   • 

Swanzey  remained  loyal  to  New  Hampshire,  but  it  will  be  seen  by 


68  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

the  following  documents  that  it  contained  a  disturbing  secession  el- 
ement. 

selectmen's    statement    of    affairs    ADDIIESSED    TO    THE  GENEHAL 

couiiT,  1871. 

"The  Selectmen  of  the  town  of  Swanze3%  in  behalf  of  themselves 
and  the  Town  Humbly  show — That  under  the  Present  unhappy  Situ- 
ation of  our  affairs  in  this  part  of  the  State,  when  most  in  many,  and 
many  in  all  the  Towns  have  Revolted  from  under  the  Government 
and  Jurisdiction  of  the  State,  bidding  defiance  to  the  Authority  and 
Laws  of  the  same ;  Absolutely  Refusing  to  pay  Taxes,  or  to  contrib- 
ute any  thing  in  any  way^  or  manner  towards  Raising  men  for  the  Con- 
tinental Army,  or  Providing  Supplies  for  the  same  —  We  find  it  p]x- 
tremely  Ditlicult  for  us  to  Comply  with  the  Requisitions  of  the  State, 
for  altho'  the  greatest  part  of  the  People  in  this  Town,  Remain  firm 
in  their  Allegiance  to  the  State  ;  Utterly  averse  to  the  late  and  present 
factions  and  seditious  conduct  of  a  great  (if  not  the  greatest)  part 
of  the  People  in  this  Western  part  of  the  State,  yet  our  affairs  are 
extremely  Embarrassed,  for  if  Taxes  ^are  Assessed  they  cannot  be 
Collected,  as  some  will  Refuse  to  paj',  and  if  Constables  or  Collectors 
should  Distrain  such  Delinquents  for  their  Rates,  Mobs  would  Arise, 
and  perhaps  the  power  of  the  State  of  Vermont  would  be  employed 
for  their  protection.  We  have  exerted  ourselves  as  much  as  we  could 
in  order  to  Raise  our  Quota  of  Men  for  the  Continental  Arm}',  and 
Also  for  Six  months,  but  have  not  been  able  to  complete  the  former 
nor  to  Raise  any  part  of  the  latter,  Avhieh  Inability  is  owing  princi- 
pally if  not  Solely  to  the  confused  Situation  of  this  part  of  the  State  ; 
And  unless  Something  can  be  done  for  our  Assistance  it  will  be  Abso- 
lutely Impossible  for  us  to  Raise  Men  or  money  for  the  Service  of  the 
State.  We  consider  ourselves  as  Subjects  of  the  state  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  are  firmly  Resolved  to  persist  in  our  Allegiance,  and  ex- 
pect the  protection  of  the  State,  without  which  we  shall  not  be  able 
to  stand  against  the  opposition  that  will  be  made.  We  humbly  pray 
that  your  Honors  would  take  the  matter  into  your  Wise  consideration, 
and  make  such  provision  for  our  protection  and  Safety  as  that  we  may 
not  be  Obliged  to  Yield  to  unreasonable  Men  and  Measures. 

Thomas  Appliu,      1 
Calvin  Friuk,  i    Selectmen 

Elijah  Belding,         V  of 


■    Isaac  Flammond, 
Elisha  Whitoomb, 
-Swanzey  June  9th,  1781. 


Swanzey." 


J 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  69 

RELATIVE    TO    THE    BEEF    TAX,    1784. 
FEBRUARY,    1785. 

"The  Petition  of  the  Selectmen  and  Assessors  of  the  Town  of  Swan- 
zey  in  said  State  for  the  year  1784  ;  Humbly  sheweth. 

Tliat  whereas  in  the  year  1781  the  General  Court  of  this  State  Or- 
dered and  directed  the  Selectmen  of  said  Swauzey,  to  Assess  the  In- 
habitants of  said  Town,  their  Quota  of  Beef  for  the  Continental  Army, 
which  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  greatest  part  of  said  Beef  was 
paid  by  said  Inhabitants,  Yet  some  were  delinquent,  Refusing  to  pay 
their  State  Tax,  occasioned  principally  by  the  Union  of  the  Grants 
(so  called)  with  Vermont,  by  reason  of  which,  agreeably  to  an  Act 
of  the  General  Court  said  Swanzey  was  Ordered  to  pay  the  Deficiency 
of  said  Tax,  and  a  fine  for  their  Delinquency,  both  of  which  amount- 
ing to  £137,  which  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  by  his  Warrant  directed 
to  the  Selectmen  of  said  Town  has  ordered  to  be  assessed,  which  has 
not  yet  been  complied  with.  Because  your  petitioners  think  it  very  un- 
just to  Assess,  Levy  and  collect  the  aforesaid  sum  of  those  Persons 
who  paid  their  Tax  in  due  Time,  and  your  Petitioners  have  no  war- 
rant to  Assess  said  Sum  on  those  that  were  Delinquent  and  dare  not 
venture  to  Assess  said  Sum  either  on  the  whole  or  part  of  the  Inhab- 
itants, lest  it  should  make  great  confusion,  murmuring  and  Complain- 
ing among  the  People  of  Said  Town.  —  Your  Petitioners  therefore 
most  Humbly  and  earnestlj'  pray  that  this  Honorable  Body  would  take 
the  above  stated  Case  into  their  Serious  Consideration,  and  make  such 
Order  thereon,  as  in  their  Wisdom  they  shall  think  most  Just  and 
Equitable. 

And  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  ever  pray  : 


Selectmen 
David  Belding       1  & 

Isaac  Hammond   f   Assessors 


1 
} 

I 
J  of  Swauzey." 


RELATIVE  TO  THE  BEEF  TAX. 
ADDRESSED  TO  THE  GENERAL  COURT,  DEC.  13,  1786. 

"The  Selectmen  of  Swanzey  in  the  County  of  Cheshire  humbly  beg 
leave  to  lay  before  this  Honorable  Body  their  Embarrassments  as  to 
Assessing  the  Doomage  for  this  Town's  Deficiency  of  Beef  in  the 
Year  1781.  Your  Petitioners  immediately  on  Receiving  Orders  for 
collecting  Said  Beef,  Assessed  the  Inhabitants  of  Swanzey,  Setting 
the  Beef  at  twenty  Seven  Shillings  pr.  Hundred  weight,  and  as  your 


70  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Petitioners  were  Sensible  of  the  Importance  of  the  Order  of  the  Court 
being  complied  with,  they  exerted  themselves  and  collected  a  consid- 
erable part  of  tlie  Beef  by  the  Set  time ;  and  would  undoubtedly  Col- 
lected the  whole,  had  it  not  been  for  a  number  of  Political  Heretics 
in  this  and  Adjacent  Towns  Avho  by  their  Instigations  and  artful  in- 
sinuations Shook  the  Allegiance  of  the  ignorant  and  unprincipaled 
part  of  the  community  from  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  and  Attached 
them  to  the  usurped  State  of  Vermont;  and  the  Imbecility  of  Gov- 
ernment was  so  great  at  that  Day  that  your  Petitioners  thought  it  not 
wise  to  compel  or  use  Coercive  measures  with  those  who  would  not 
freely  pay  their  proportion  of  Said  tax  ;  and  since  the  energy  of  Gov- 
ernment has  increased,  and  this  Town  has  been  called  upon  to  pay 
Said  Tax  with  a  Doomage,  the  Selectmen  have  taken  up  the  Matter, 
and  find  it  Difficult  if  not  Impossible  to  make  an  Assessment  for  said 
Doomage  in  any  way  which  will  not  blow  up  an  unquenchable  fire  in 
this  Town —  for  if  we  should  Assess  it  on  the  Delinquents  only,  who 
in  Justice  ought  to  pay  the  Same,  Ave  should,  in  so  doing,  do  injustice, 
for  a  numl)er  of  said  Delinquents  are  Removed  out  of  the  Town,  and 
consequently  out  of  the  Reach  of  an  Assessment  and  should  an  As- 
sessment be  made  on  the  whole  Town,  it  Avould  be  to  make  the  Right- 
eous be  as  the  Wicked,  which  the  Patriarch  of  the  Hebrews  Saith  is 
far  from  the  Almighty. 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  most  Humbly  pray  this  Honorable  Body 
to  take  the  Matter  into  their  wise  Consideration,  and  either  accept  of 
the  twenty  Seven  Shillings  on  the  Hundred  weight  which  is  already 
Assessed  and  which  may  be  collected  without  Ditficulty ;  or  Direct 
your  Petitioners  in  what  manner  to  proceed  that  they  may  escape  the 
Publick  Odium.     And  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  Pray. 

Isaac  Hammond  \  Selectmen 

of 
Calvm  Frmk        j  Swanzey." 

[In  House  of  Representatives  January  IG,  1787,  Voted  that  "as  there 
is  great  difficulty  respecting  the  assessment  for  the  deficienej'  of  Beef 
in  the  Town  of  Swanzey,  the  Treasurer  be  directed  so  far  as  respects 
said  Beef  Tax*,  to  stay  the  Extent  against  said  Town  until  the  first 
Wednesday  of  June  next."] 

The  paying  taxes  in  beef  was  resorted  to  because  there  was  not 
money  with  which  to  pay  them.  The  Continental  money  had  become 
worthless ;  the  specie  had  been  depleted  in  prosecuting  the  Avar,  and 
no  financial  system  had  been  devised  by  Avhich  the  people  could  be 


GENERAL   OUTLINE   HISTORY.  71 

relieved   from   their  embarrassed   circumstances.     The   people  were 
heavily  taxed  to  meet  indebtedness  occasioned  by  the  war. 

SCALE  OF  DEPRECIATION  OF  CONTINENTAL  MONEY,   1777. 

January,  100;  February,  96;  March,  94;  April,  90;  May,  87; 
June,  83  ;  July,  80  ;  August,  66  ;  September,  57  ;  October,  36  ;  No- 
vember, 33  ;  December,  32  ;  January,  1778,  30  ;  February,  28  ;  March, 
26  ;  April,  25  ;  May,  25  ;  June,  25  ;  July,  23  ;  August,  22  ;  Septem- 
ber, 21  ;  October,  20  ;  November,  18  ;  December,  15  ;  January,  1779, 
13  ;  February,  11  ;  March,  10  ;  April,  9  ;  June,  8  ;  July,  7  ;  August, 
6  ;  September,  5  ;  October,  4 ;  November,  4  ;  December,  4  ;  January, 
1780,  3;  February,  3;  March  to  June,  2;  July  to  June,  1781,  1  ; 
July,  0. 

After  the  continental  money  had  become  worthless,  and  gold  and 
silver  had  gone  out  of  the  country  to  pay  for  importations  occasioned 
by  the  war,  the  people  were  without  money.  They  were  heavily  taxed 
by  the  federal  and  state  governments  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the 
war.  Private  debts  had  become  embarrassing  as  money  could  not  be 
obtained  for  meeting  engagements.  Many  believed  that  relief  could 
be  obtained  by  the  State  emitting  paper  money  and  loaning  it  on- 
land  security.  The  Assembly  called  upon  the  towns  for  an  expres- 
sion of  their  views  upon  the  subject.  The  following  is  Swanzey's  in- 
structions to  its  representative. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Swanzey  in  the  County  of  Ches- 
hire and  State  of  New  Hampshire,  Aug,  28,  1786  : — 

"Voted  to  choose  a  Committee  to  give  instructions  to  the  Represen- 
tative of  said  Town  for  the  Rule  of  Conduct  at  the  next  Session  of 
the  General  Court  Respecting  the  Emission  of  paper  money." 

To  Mr.  Abraham  Bandall,  Bepresentative  of  the  Town  of  Swanzey : 

Sib: — Your  constituents,  Reposing  confidence  in  your  integrity,  ability  and 
zeal  for  the  publick  jiood,  Chose  you  to  Represent  them  in  the  General  As- 
sembly of  this  State  the  present  year.  This  is  a  day  we  are  sensible  Avhen 
the  greatest  Wisdom,  patriotism,  firmness.  Unanimity,  Publick  Spirit  and 
freedom  be  detached  from  selfish  and  Mercenary  views,  and  when  all  the 
above -named  virtues  are  requisite,  and  ought  to  be  the  governirg  principles 
in  all  our  Publick  Councils.  We,  therefore,  having  a  Constitutional  Right  so 
to  do,  think  it  expedient  to  express  our  Sentiments  to  you  respecting  our  dis- 
tressed situation  for  want  of  a  Circulating  Medium.  We  therefore  instruct 
you  to  use  your  influence  in  the  Assembly  that  as  soon  as  may  be  there  be  an 
Emission  of  paper  Currency,  as  being  in  Our  Opinion  the  best  Remedy  left  us 
for  Relief,  and  it  is  the  minds  of  your  Constituents  that  the  Emission  of 


72  HISTOKY    OF    SWANZEY. 

paper  Currency  be  applied  Solely  for  the  purpose  of  R(  dtomiiig  tlie  Stale 
Securities,  which  we  conceive  will  be  a  great  easement  by  stopping  the  in- 
terest of  those  securities;  but  we  mean  not  to  dictate  the  Ginerul  Court,  but 
only  to  hint  our  desires,  confiding  in  the  wisdom  of  the  Legislature  of  this 
state  if  they  shall  see  fit  to  Issue  a  paper  Medium  that  it  be  Emitted  on  such 
foundation  as  they  shall  thiuli  best  for  tlie  Community. 

Hkniiy  Morsk,       >  Committee  in  the  name  and 


IXG,     J 


David  Bkldixg,    )         behalf  of  the  Toion. 

The  returns  of  the  actions  of  the  towns  showed  that  the  public  sen- 
timent was  opposed  to  emitting  paper  money,  and  the  Assembly  voted 
that  it  had  not  the  constitutional  right  to  do  it. 

Some  of  those  in  favor  of  having  the  state  issue  paper  money  were 
so  determined  that  they  organized  an  armed  mob,  marched  to  where 
the  Assembly  was  in  session  at  Exeter,  and  endeavored  to  gain  their 
ends  by  coercive  measures.  They  were  unsuccessful ;  the  militia  were 
called  out  and  a  number  of  the  leaders  arrested. 

Going  back  to  ]March  14,  1781,  we  find  the  town  "voted  to  sell  that 
part  of  the  town  Common  lying  west  of  the  road  now  travelled  from 
the  Meeting-house  to  Mr.  Goddard's  dw.elling-house,  extending  south 
to  the  land  of  Greenwood  Carpenter,  and  north  as  far  as  the  highway 
leading  from  said  common  to  James  Grimes'." 

The  meeting-house  mentioned  was  that  standing  on  the  hill,  and 
the  road  to  James  Grimes'  went  west  from  the  common,  by  the  David 
Parsons'  place  over  the  hill  north  of  Mt.  Caesar.  It  was  also  voted 
that  Maj.  Elisha  Whitcomb,  David  Belding  and  Dea.  Thomas  Ham- 
mond be  a  committee  to  make  an  exact  survey  of  the  land,  appraise 
it  at  its  just  value,  and  offer  it  for  sale  to  the  Rev.  Edward  Goddard, 
who  should  have  the  privilege  of  purchasing  it,  but  if  he  declined  then 
it  might  be  sold  to  any  other  person. 

Ma}^  2'',  Kev.  Edward  Goddard  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  a  Conven- 
tion to  be  holdeu  in  Concord  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  June  following, 
for  the  purpose  of  forming  and  laying  a  permanent  plan  or  system  of 
government  for  this  State. 

Dec.  31,  at  a  meeting  duly  called  to  see  if  the  town  would  accept 
of  the  constitution  or  plan  of  government  agreed  upon  by  the  Con- 
vention at  Concord  the  vote  was  as  follows  :  "Thirty-one  voted  to 
accept  it ;  five  declined  voting  at  all ;  two  said  they  had  not  perused 
it  sufficiently  and  did  not  know  Avhether  they  belonged  to  the  state  of 
New  Hampshire  or  to  Vermont.  One  objected  to  one  article  respect- 
ing the  Governor,  that  no  man  shall  be  eligible  as  Governor  more  than 
three  years  in  any  seven." 

The  above  vote  was  passed  during  the  time  of  the  "Vermont  Con- 


I 


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GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  73 

ti'oversy,"  when  it  appears  that  a  few  in  this  town  sympathized  with 
Vermont. 

A  town  meeting  was  held  May  28,  1783,  at  which  seventy-three 
voters  were  present.  They  voted  to  reconsider  the  vote  passed  in 
regard  to  the  adoption  of  the  State  Constitution,  and,  feeling  their 
own  inability  to  determine  rightly  in  regard  to  the  matter,  the}'  voted 
to  "  confide  in  the  wisdom  and  justice  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State 
to  act  as  they  shall  think  most  just  and  equitable."  Thomas  Applin, 
Calvin  Frink  and  Aaron  Parsons  were  chosen  a  committee  to  draft 
instructions  to  the  delegate  in  the  General  Court. 

The  increase  of  inhabitants  in  Swanzey  during  a  number  of  years 
previous  to  1784  must  have  been  quite  large  as  shown  by  the  follow- 
ing certificate  : 

"  SwANZET,  Dec.  10«S  1783. 

We  the  Subscribers  do  hereby  Certify  that  According  to  the  Best 
of  our  k-nowledge  there  is  in  the  town  of  Swanzey  one  hundred  and 
eighty-two  Male  Polls  of  twenty-one  years  of  Age  and  upwards,  pay- 
ing for  themselves  a  Poll  Tax. 

Isaac  Hammond,         \     Selectmen 
David  Belding,  Jr.,  J    of  Swanzey." 

From  1784  to  1792  New  Hampshire  had  a  temporary  constitution, 
and  under  it  the  chief  executive  of  the  state  was  styled  President. 

The  first  town  meeting  in  Swanzey  under  this  Constitution  was  held 
March  2,  1784,  at  which  time  Samuel  Hills  was  chosen  moderator. 

Votes  for  President  of  the  State: — Meshech  Weare,  10;  George 
Atkinson,  21  ;  John  Sullivan,  2. 

P'or  two  Senators  for  Cheshire  County  :  Thomas  Applin,  14  ;  Dan- 
iel Newcomb,  2  ;  Calvin  Frink,  27  ;  John  Bellows,  5  ;  Daniel  Jones,  5  ; 
Simeon  Olcott,  5  ;  Benjamin  Bellows,  1 . 

Voted  to  grant  48  shillings  to  the, Rev.  Mr.  Goddard  as  a  reward 
for  his  service  as  a  member  of  the  late  Convention  for  forming  a  Con- 
stitution for  this  state. 

Fifteen  shillings  were  voted  to  Samuel  Hills  for  a  like  service. 

Salmon  and  shad  ascended  the  Ashuelot  river  before  dams  were 
built  across  it.  When  the  people  found  that  their  yearly  supply  of 
these  fish  was  cut  off  by  these  dams  there  was  much  complaint,  and 
doubtless  there  were  those  who  were  willing  unlawfully  to  engage  in 
making  free  passage-ways  for  the  fish  through  the  dams.  The  Gen- 
eral Assembly  was  petitioned  during  several  years  for  redress  in  this 
matter,  and  January  15,  1789,  an  act  was  passed  requiring  a  sluice  to 
be  kept  open  in  every  dam  on  said  river  in  the  towns  of  Hinsdale, 


74  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Winchester,  Swauzey  and  Keene,  between  the  10th  day  of  May  and 
the  20th  day  of  July  in  any  j'ear. 

At  the  annual  IMarch  meeting  in  1785  it  was  "voted  to  raise  12 
pounds  for  the  purpose  of  trimming  the  burying  ground." 

March  7,  1786.  "Voted  to  raise  4£.,  13s.,  Id.  to  complete  the  fenc- 
ing of  the  bur3'ing  ground." 

"Voted  to  sellLt.  Dan  Guild  apiece  of  the  common  adjoining  and 
lying  south  of  the  burjnng-yard  between  said  yard  and  Mr.  William 
Wright's." 

At  a  legal  meeting  held  Oct.  30,  1786,  a  plan  for  emitting  paper 
money  by  the  General  Court  was  read.  The  vote  was  unanimous 
against  approving  the  measure.  A  committee  for  suggesting  altera- 
tions in  the  plan  was  chosen,  consisting  of  Roger  Thompson,  William 
Grimes,  Wyman  Richardson,  Abraham  Randall,  Elisha  Whitcomb, 
David  Belding,  jr.,  and  Ebenezer  Hills. 

Nov.  13,  the  committee  made  the  following  report : — "That  twenty 
thousands  be  emitted  on  the  same  plan  that  the  General  Court  pro- 
posed to  emit  the  ten  thousand  pounds,  with  the  addition  to  have  it  a 
tender  for  all  debts  due  in  this  state ;  and  in  lieu  of  the  forty  thous- 
and pounds  that  the  General  Court  proposed  to  emit  on  land  security ; 
that  the  state  notes  be  called  in,  and  the  holder  in  lieu  of  said  notes 
to  receive  certificates  of  the  same  sum  in  lieu  of  the  same,  so  that  the 
interest  of  said  notes  may  cease  and  the  certificates  to  be  received  in 
all  outstanding  taxes.  Dated  at  Swanzey  the  13^^  day  of  November, 
1786. 

Signed  in  behalf  of  the  Committee, 

Roger  Thompson." 

Seventeen  persons  voted  in  favor  of  this  report  and  two  against  it. 

Dec.  4  a  meeting  was  called  to  see  if  the  town  would  agree  with 
some  person  to  pay  the  last  state  tax  by  the  first  of  January  and  repay 
such  person  in  cattle  or  any  other  way  agreed  upon. 

"Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  impowered  to  agree  with  Mr.  Nathan 
Capron  who  has  undertaken  to  pay  said  tax  for  the  town." 

"Voted,  That  the  Selectmen,  together  with  Maj.  Elisha  Whitcomb, 
Maj.  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  Lt.  Samuel  Wright  and  Mr.  David  Beld- 
ing, jr.,  be  a  committee  to  examine  into  the  requests  of  several  con- 
stables respecting  such  assessments  in  their  hands  against  such 
persons  as  they  have  not  had  opportunity  to  collect,  and  make  such 
an  adjustment  and  abatement  to  such  constables  as  they  shall  judge 
equitable." 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  75 

The  foregoing  votes  show  the  financial  condition  of  the  town  at  that 
period.  It  was  similar  to  that  of  other  towns.  The  war  for  Inde- 
pendence had  been  successfully  prosecuted,  and  their  independence 
had  been  achieved ;  but  there  had  been  no  well  matured  plans  adopted 
for  a  state  or  a  general  government.  The  finances  of  the  country 
were  in  a  deplorable  condition ;  taxes  were  heavy  in  consequence  of 
the  war  ;  the  people  were  without  money,  and  to  pay  their  taxes  was 
almost  an  impossibility. 

Jan.  8,  1788,  Maj.  Elisha  Whitcomb  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  a 
convention  to  meet  at  lixeter,  Feb.  2,  to  consider  the  federal  con- 
stitution. He  was  also  chosen  in  1791  to  a  convention  for  the  revision 
of  the  state  constitution. 

In  1793  it  was  voted  to  allow  Mr.  Moses  B.  Williams  six  shillings 
for  warning  sundry  persons  out  of  town  ;  and  the  same  year  an  allow- 
ance was  made  John  Whitcomb,  jr.,  for  a  similar  service.  This 
"warning  out  of  town"  was  a  common  practice  in  those  days.  When 
persons  came  into  a  town  to  reside  who  were  likely  to  become  depen- 
dent upon  the  town  for  support  it  was  customary  for  the  selectmen 
to  issue  an  order  to  a  constable  to  force  such  persons  to  leave  the 
town. 

A  constable  was  quite  an  important  officer  during  this  period  of 
the  town's  history.  When  town  meetings  were  called  the  legal  voters 
were  personally  warned  to  attend  by  a  constable  who  had  received  his 
orders  from  the  selectmen.  The  collecting  of  the  taxes  was  also  a 
part  of  the  constable's  official  duty. 

At  the  annual  meeting  this  year  the  following  was  passed  :  "Whereas 
Mr.  John  Harvey  and  others,  inhabitants  of  Swanzey,  have  requested 
said  town  that  they  would  vote  that  they  and  their  lands  may  be  an- 
nexed to  the  town  of  Marlborough,  representing  that  they  live  much 
more  convenient  to  Marlborough  meeting-house  than  to  Swanzey,  etc., 
the  town  having  considered  the  said  request,  think  the  same  to  be 
reasonable  ;  therefore  voted  that  Messrs.  John  Harvey,  Kimber  Har- 
ve}^  and  Samuel  Stearns,  and  the  land  whereon  they  dAvell,  and  the 
land  belonging  to  Mr.  Timothy  Harvey  be  set  off  from  the  town  of 
Swanzey  and  annexed  to  the  town  of  Marlborough  ;  said  tract  of  land 
lies  in  the  northeastwardly  part  of  said  Swanzey,  and  is  the  most 
northwardly  part  of  that  gore  of  land  which  was  set  off  from  Rich- 
mond to  Swanzey ;  and  is  bounded  as  follows  :  viz.  :  Beginning  at  a 
heap  of  stones,  being  the  southeast  corner  of  the  town  of  Keene,  then 
runs  on  said  Keene  west  8  degrees  north,  32  rods  to  the  old  corner  of 
Swanzey  ;  then  runs  south  34  degrees  west  on  Swanzey's  old  line,  418 


76 


HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 


rods  to  a  white  pine  tree ;  then  runs  east  20  degrees  30  minutes  south 
on  common  land  2 1 2  rods  to  a  stake  and  stones  in  the  patent  line ; 
then  runs  on  the  patent  line  north  9  degrees  30  minutes  east  418  rods 
to  the  first  mentioned  corner ;  containing  tliree  hundred  and  five  acres." 
This  vote  Avas  sanctioned  the  same  year  by  the  legislature.  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  plan  of  the  foregoing  described  piece  of  land  : 


In  1812  a  small  section  on  the  N.  E.  part  of  the  town  was  annexed 
to  Keene  ;  and  in  1842  another  section,  a  part  of  the  Richmond  Gore, 
was  annexed  to  Marlborough. 

In  1815  a  portion,  about  three  miles  south  of  the  last-named  sec- 
tion, was  taken  to  form  the  new  town  of  Troy,  leaving  the  eastern 
boundary  of  Swanzey  very  irregular, 

A  movement  was  commenced  as  earl}^  as  1794  to  have  a  new  meet- 
ing house  built,  larger  and  more  imposing  than  the  old  one  on  the  hill. 
The  population  of  the  town  had  become  too  large,  too  wealthy  and 
were  too  well  united  in  supporting  gospel  ordinances  that  were  in  hai'- 
mony  -with  the  Congregational  creed  to  make  it  proper  to  continue  to 
worship  in  the  old  house.  ^  The  result  of  the  movement  was  the  erec- 
tion of  the  meeting  house  on  the  plain,  the  same  building  which  has 
since  been  remodelled  into  the  present  town  house.     The  house  was 


GENERAL   OUTLINE   HISTORT.  77 

built  nominally  by  the  town,  and  a  large  part  of  the  work  was  proba- 
bly done  in  the  year  1796. 

It  is  not  known  how  the  building  of  the  house  was  managed  as  the 
town's  records  duriug  the  period  in  Avhich  it  was  built  are  lost.  A  list 
of  the  taxes  paid  during  these  years  for  other  purposes  has  been  pre- 
served but  it  does  not  show  that  anything  was  raised  for  building  the 
meeting  house.  The  inference  is  that  a  committee  had  the  manage- 
ment of  raising  and  applying  the  taxes  for  building  the  house.  A 
large  part  of  the  cost  was  ultimately  met  from  the  sale  of  the  pews. 
As  a  rule  the  most  desirable  pews  were  secured  by  the  most  promi- 
nent men  in  the  town. 

The  raising  of  the  meeting  house  was  a  great  event  for  the  times. 
To  do  the  work  men  were  picked  in  Swanzey  and  in  the  neighboring 
towns.  The  work  of  raising  commenced  in  the  morning.  Previous 
to  that  time  a  whole  broadside  had  been  put  together.  When  all  was 
ready  for  raising  the  huge  broadside,  the  master  workman  took  his 
position  upon  the  frame  from  which  place  he  gave  his  orders  nntil  the 
structure  had  been  raised  to  a  considerable  heioiit.  At  the  close  of 
the  first  day  the  body  of  the  house  had  been  raised.  When  the  men 
assembled  the  second  morning  one  of  them  exhibited  his  nerve  by 
passing  from  one  side  of  the  building-to  the  other  upon  one  of  the 
suspended  beams  to  which  other  timbers  had  not  been  connected.  It 
took  three  days  to  raise  the  building  including  the  belfry.  For  a  de- 
scription of  the  building  see  Chapter  V. 

Many  men  settled  in  town  between  the  years  1777  and  1793.  Had 
a  list  of  the  tax  payers  been  preserved  during  these  years  it  would 
have  shown  nearly  the  time  when  their  settlement  was  made.  The  first 
tax  list  that  is  now  found  is  of  the  year  1793. 

The  following  list  is  intended  to  include  such  persons  as  settled  in 
the  town  between  1777  and  1793  : 

Abner  Aldrich,  Amos  Baile}^, 

Amasa  Aldrich,  Nathan  Caprou, 

Uriah  Aldrich,  Otis  Capron, 

Jacob  Bump,  Alpheus  Caprou, 

Jeremiah  Battles,  Joseph  Cross, 

Thomas  Battles,  jr.,  Thomas  Cross, 

Edward  Beverstock,  Salmon  Chandler, 

Daniel  Beverstock,  Daniel  Cummings, 

John  Beverstock,  Timothy  Clark, 

Abijah  Brown,  Amariah  Curtis, 

William  Bolles,  Luther  Curtis, 


78 


HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY 


Calvin  Curtis, 
Phinehas  Dodge, 
Rufus  Dexter, 
William  Dival, 
Jotliam  Eames, 
Daniel  Flint, 
jNIoses  Farnswortli, 
John  Farnswortb, 
Jonathan  Field, 
John  Franklin, 
Joel  Foster, 
Nathaniel  Foster, 
Dan  Guild, 
Stephen  Gibson, 
William  Hunt, 
Phinehas  H  amble tt, 
Josiah  Ilamblett, 
Asaph  Lane, 
John  Marble, 
Josiah  Marble, 
Paul  Moore, 
Joshua  Prime, 
Leonard  Pemberton, 
Joshua  Parker, 
John  Pierce, 
Stephen  Prouty, 
Benjamin  Parsons, 
Amariah  Patridge, 
Seth  Pomroy, 
David  Read, 
Timothy  Read, 
Joel  Read, 
John  Read, 
Wyman  Richardson, 

The  following  is  a  list  of 
tax  payers  in  the  following 


William  Abbott, 
Aaron  Darling, 
Daniel  Flint, 


Amos  Richardson, 
Salmon  Richardson, 
Abraham  Randall, 
Levi  Randall, 
INIatlhew  Robley, 
William  Ramzey, 
Peletiah  Razey, 
Peter  Robinson, 
Ivory  Snow, 
Samuel  Stearns, 
Sluibael  Seaver, 
Joseph  Smead, 
Nims  Smead, 
Richard  Stratton, 
William  Stephenson, 
Ebenezer  Stone, 
David  Sherman, 
David  Sherman,  2d, 
Israel  Sawyer, 
William  Town, 
Nicholas  Trask, 
Stephen  Trask, 
Thomas  Trowbridge, 
Thomas  Trowbridge,  2d, 
Abner  Twitchell, 
Jonas  Twitchell, 
David  Tenney, 
John  Usher, 
Isaac  Woodward, 
Ichabod  Woodward, 
Richard  Weeks, 
Joseph  Weeks, 
Timothy  Warren. 

the  names  of  persons  who  first  appear  as 
years : 

1794. 

Farnum  Fish, 
Jonathan  Holbrook, 
Simpson  Hammond, 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


79 


Reuben  Lord, 
John  Richardson, 
Aquila  Ramsdell, 

Ziba  Aldrich, 
Benoni  Benson, 
Nathan  Cross, 
Moses  Codwell, 
Francis  Goodhue, 
Peter  Holbrook, 
Peter  Holbrook,  2d, 
John  Hix, 

Benson  Aldrich, 
Eli  Boyden, 
Stephen  Brown, 
Thomas  Bigelow, 
Moses  Butler, 
Fisher  Draper, 
Parker  Dudley, 
Ebenezer  French, 

Arad  Hall, 
Asaph  Hall, 
John  Learned, 
Daniel  Learned, 

Ebenezer  Billings, 
Levi  Blake, 
Daniel  Goodhue, 


Andrew  Sherman, 
Joseph  Taylor, 
Zenas  Ware. 

1796. 

Peter  C.  Hunt, 
Thomas  Harris, 
Jonathan  Jilson, 
Stephen  Jilson, 
Jonathan  Lamson, 
James  Pierce, 
Ezra  Thayer, 
Samuel  Wilson. 

1798. 

John  Holbrook, 
John  Potter, 
Stephen  Potter, 
Moses  Pratt, 
John  Richardson, 
James  Severance, 
James  Severance,  2d, 
Josiah  Usher. 

1799. 

LeviMaxey, 
Micaiah  Norwood, 
Barzilla  Streeter, 
Zopher  Whitcomb. 

1800. 

Seth  Holbrook, 
Edmund  Munyon. 


1801. 


Peter  Holbrook,  3d, 
John  Jackson, 
Benjamin  Phelps, 
Ebenezer  Stockwell. 


Lot  Aldrich, 
Richard  Auger, 
Richard  Dauforth, 
Robert  Gilman, 

The  foregoing  lists  are  names  of  persons  that  moved  into  the  town 
and  the  year  when  they  were  first  taxed  therein. 

Generally  they  came  to  the  town  the  year  before  they  were  taxed. 
Thus  we  consider  that  those  persons  who  were  taxed  for  the  first  time 


80  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

in  1801  became  residents  in  1800.  Young  men  who  reached  their 
majority  in  the  town  and  were  sons  of  fathers  who  had  been  taxed  in 
the  town  are  not  inchided  in  the  lists.  "What  we  have  intended  to 
show  is  the  time  when  different  families  moved  into  the  town. 

But  a  small  number  of  persons  had  settled  in  tlie  town  previous  to 
1800  except  to  engage  in  clearing  up  land  for  a  farm.  At  this  time 
nearly  all  the  land  in  the  township  had  passed  into  the  hands  of  men 
who  wanted  it  for  such  a  purpose. 

Probably  there  was  as  large  a  number  of  farms  in  the  town  in  1800 
as  there  has  been  at  any  period  in  the  town's  history.  Large  num- 
bers of  cellar  holes  can  be  seen  in  different  parts  of  the  town  Avhere 
some  one  about  this  period  or  previously  had  built  a  house  and  cleared 
off  some  of  the  adjacent  laud,  with  the  view  of  residing  there  perma- 
nently as  a  farmer. 

Nearly  all  the  land  in  the  town  when  first  cleared  was  quite  pro- 
ductive. Fields  that  long  since  were  abandoned  for  farming  once 
produced  stout  grass,  and  upon  many  hills  that  are  now  covered  with 
timber  Avas  once  excellent  pasturage. 

The  course  of  the  settlements  in  the  ^town  was  from  the  Centre  (at 
which  place  they  were  mostly  confined  for  the  first  twenty  years) ,  down 
the  Ashuelot  river  and  up  the  South  Branch.  Settlements  were  early 
made  on  the  east  side  of  the  South  Branch  opposite  the  Centre  and  be- 
tween there  and  the  Keene  line.  Some  were  made  upon  the  hills  quite 
early ;  but  most  of  the  hills  were  not  settled  until  nearly  all  the  low 
lands  liad  been  appropriated. 

In  1800  many  of  the  farms  were  large  and  productive  and  the  owners 
in  affiuent  circumstances.  Large  houses  had  been  built  and  were  sur- 
rounded by  commodious  buildings.  The  oldest  type  of  the  best  houses 
that  were  built  in  the  town  was  a  two-story  house  in  front,  and  one 
story  at  the  back  part.  The  plan  was  to  have  two  good-sized  front 
rooms  on  the  lower  floor,  and  to  have  two  good-sized  chambei's  on  the 
second  floor.  The  centre  of  the  rear  part  contained  a  large  kitchen 
and  at  the  ends  of  it  bedrooms,  pantry,  cupboards,  entries,  etc.  To 
acconuiiodate  the  three  large  rooms  on  the  lower  floor  and  the  two 
front  chambers  a  very  large  chimney  was  built  in  the  centre  of  the 
house.  Another  type,  and  from  which  a  larger  number  was  built  than 
from  the  first,  was  to  have  the  same  construction  upon  the  lower  floor, 
but  without  the  second  story  in  front.  A  fashionable  type  for  the 
best  houses  at  a  later  date  was  to  build  with  two  stories  and  with  a 
four-cornered  flat  roof.  If  it  was  built  with  two  rooms  upon  each  floor, 
it  had  usually  a  chimney  at  each  end  of  the  house.     If  it  contained 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  81 

four  rooms  upon  each  floor  the  chimneys  were  built  between  the  front 
and  rear  rooms. 

A  log  house  was  common  where  a  new  settlement  was  made  for  a 
few  years,  but  as  there  were  saw  mills  in  the  town  most  of  the  time 
from  the  first  settlement,  and  plenty  of  timber,  these  were  soon  re- 
placed by  framed  houses  as  most  of  the  settlers  were  enterprising  men. 

To  feed  a  family  one  depended  mostly  upon  the  production  of  his 
land  and  the  stock  which  he  kept  upon  it.  Very  little  dependence 
was  made  upon  purchasing  provisions  outside  of  the  town.  Large 
quantities  of  rye  were  raised  upon  the  newly  cleared  laud,  and  upon 
the  plains  by  cultivation.  Indian  corn  was  regarded  as  the  most  im- 
portant crop  of  all  that  was  cultivated.  The  principal  bread  used  was 
brown  bread  made  from  rye  and  Indian  meal.  Hasty  pudding  was  a 
standard  family  diet.  Boiled  Indian  pudding  frequently  made  with 
suet,  was  a  common  article  upon  the  farmer's  table.  Johnny-cake  of- 
ten was  substituted  for  brown  bread.  Wheat  was  cultivated  to  some 
extent,  but  it  was  too  uncertain  a  crop  to  be  relied  upon  to  constitute 
the  dail}^  fare  of  most  families.  Beans  were  extensively  raised,  aud 
used  largely  for  making  bean  porridge.  Potatoes,  turnips,  pump- 
kins, pease,  cabbages  and  beets  were  all  raised  to  help  make  a  yearly 
stock  of  provisions  for  a  family. 

Farmers,  as  a  rule,  produced  their  own  meat.  In  the  fall  of  the 
year  or  early  winter,  enough  fatted  cattle  and  hogs  were  slaughtei'ed 
to  make  a  suppl}'^  of  fresh  meat  for  the  winter  and  salt  meat  for  a 
year  ;  veal  was  the  principal  fresh  meat  used  in  the  summer,  aud  mut- 
ton in  the  fall. 

A  much  larger  quantity  of  milk  was  used  then  than  at  present.  lu 
many  large  families  of  children  brown  bread  and  milk  and  Johuny- 
cake  and  milk  constituted  a  large  part  of  their  food.  Farmers  who 
had  any  number  of  cows  generally  made  a  quautit}^  of  cheese  for  a 
year's  stock,  to  be  used  daily  in  the  family.  Butter  was  perhaps  less 
used  than  it  is  at  present.  Very  little  income  was  expected  from  the 
cows  in  the  winter.  The  milk  of  one  cow  in  the  winter  was  all  that 
most  farmers  cared  to  have. 

The  amount  of  fish  obtained  from  the  rivers  was  an  important  item 
in  the  supply  of  provisions  for  many  families.  Those  fish  which  are 
now  common  to  our  rivers  and  brooks  were  then  much  larger  and  more 
abundant  than  they  are  at  the  present  time.  At  the  time  the  town 
was  first  settled  salmon  and  shad  made  their  annual  visits  to  its  rivers 
in  large  numbers. 

The  occasional  killing  of  a  deer  furnished  some  venison ;  wild  tur- 
6 


82  HISTORY    OF    SAVANZEY. 

kej's  -were  frequently  killed  ;  pigeons  Avere  more  plentiful  than  thej'  are 
at  the  present  time ;  partridges  were  as  numerous  as  at  present,  and 
perhaps  more  so. 

The  principal  article  of  food  consumed,  not  produced  upon  the  farm 
or  obtained  from  the  rivers  or  forests,  was  salt  fish  purchased  in  the 
Boston  market. 

The  clothing  of  both  men  and  women  was  almost  entirely  home- 
spun. Flax  and  wool  were  the  principal  materials  from  which  it  was 
made.  For  working  flax,  men  were  skilled  in  the  process  of  rotting 
it,  after  it  had  been  harvested.  This  was  done  by  spreading  it  on  the 
ground,  exposed  to  rains  and  dews,  until  the  woody  part  became  brit- 
tle and  could  be  cleaved  from  the  fibre  by  the  use  of  the  break  and 
swingle.  After  the  men  had  done  their  part  of  the  work  upon  the  tlax 
the  fibre  was  handed  over  to  the  wives  and  daughters.  Tliey,  by  the 
use  of  the  hatchel,  the  spinning-wheel  and  the  looili,  made  it  into 
cloth.  When  men  had  sheared  the  wool  from  the  sheep,  women,  1)y 
the  use  of  the  hand  cards,  spinning-wheels  and  looms,  made  it  into 
cloth.     The  art  of  dyeing  yarn  and  cloth  was  confided  to  the  women. 

Grazing  was  depended  upon  almost  antirely  for  keeping  horses  and 
cattle  through  the  summer,  and  most  of  the  hogs  were  kept  in  a  pas- 
ture or  run  in  the  highway  during  the  summer,  and  grass  and  roots 
constituted  a  large  part  of  their  feed. 

A  well  arranged  farm,  to  meet  the  requirements  of  a  family,  had 
pastures  for  cattle  and  horses,  a  sheep  pasture,  a  hog  pasture,  hay 
fields,  a  field  of  corn,  of  rye,  wheat,  oats,  buckwheat,  potatoes,  beans, 
turnips,  pease,  flax,  and  a  good-sized  garden. 

The  production  of  cider  appears  to  liave  been  regarded  as  an  im- 
portant part  of  farm  operations.  Seldom  do  we  find  an  old  cellar  hole, 
where  there  was  once  a  farm,  that  there  are  not  to  be  seen  more  or 
less  old  apple  trees. 

The  practices  of  the  times  were  such  that  an  ordinary  farmer  pro- 
vided most  of  the  food  and  clothing  for  his  family  from  the  produc- 
tion of  his  land  and  the  labor  of  himself  and  family  within  the  bounds 
of  his  own  possessions. 

To  pay  for  such  articles  of  food  and  clothing  as  could  not  be  pro- 
duced, to  pay  for  work  done  by  a  carpenter,  by  a  blacksmith,  a  tan- 
ner, a  shoemaker,  and  to  pay  taxes  required  that  a  considerable  amount 
of  something  should  be  disposed  of  to  meet  such  payments.  The 
mechanics,  as  a  general  thing,  had  farms  and  lands  that  they  were 
clearing  up.  This  enabled  the  mechanics  and  farmers  to  exchange 
•labor  for  their  mutual  benefit.     The  income  most  relied  upon  to  raise 


GENERAL   OUTLINE   HISTORY.  83 

money  was  from  the  sale  of  cattle,  horses,  sheep  and  hogs.  The 
laud  was  new  and  productive,  which  enabled  the  farmers  to  dispose 
of  a  considerable  amount  of  stock  annually. 

Large  numbers  of  the  farmers  went  once  a  year,  at  least,  to  Bos- 
ton or  some  other  place  where  there  was  a  good  market,  with  the  sur- 
plus production  of  their  farms  and  some  goods  of  domestic  manu- 
facture, and  made  purchases  of  some  of  the  principal  articles  that 
would  be  needed  the  coming  year.  The  loads  carried  to  market  were 
largely  made  up  of  a  few  hundred  pounds  of  pork,  a  few  tubs  of  but- 
ter, a  number  of  cheeses,  a  box  or  two  of  poultry,  a  web  of  frockiug 
and  a  piece  of  flannel.  The  return  load  would  consist  of  a  few  bushels 
of  salt,  several  gallons  of  rum,  a  few  gallons  of  molasses,  a  quantity 
of  tea,  a  jack-knife  for  each  of  the  boys,  a  piece  of  goods  to  make 
tlie  wife  a  dress  and  some  trinkets  for  the  girls.  Large  numbers  of 
these  loads  were  drawn  by  a  single  horse,  some  by  two  horses,  and  in 
some  cases,  oxen  were  brought  into  requisition. 

The  farmers  that  went  to  market  in  this  way  had  to  exercise  con- 
siderable economy  that  their  expenses  might  not  consume  too  large  a 
portion  of  the  products  sold.  A  large  part  of  the  food  eaten  while 
gone  was  taken  with  them  from  home,  and  some  of  !lie  grain  to  be 
fed  to  the  team,  was  also  carried  from  home.  It  was  considered  no 
impropriety  in  those  times  for  a  person  going  to  market  to  eat  his 
own  lunch  or  to  feed  his  own  grain  to  his  horses  at  a  public  house. 
The  tavern  keeper  was  satisfied  if  he  furnished  the  hay,  liquor  and 
lodging. 

Quite  an  amount  of  goods  was  transported  upon  horses  by  the  use 
of  panniers.  These  were  a  pair  of  baskets  suspended  one  upon  each 
side  of  a  horse.  Some  men  made  a  business  of  going  to  market  with 
what  could  be  carried  in  a  pair  of  panniers.  Mr.  Johu  Whitcomb  came 
to  the  town  about  the  year  1763  from  Bolton,  Mass.,  with  a  wife  and 
three  small  children.  He  rode  one  horse  and  brought  such  articles  as 
he  could  ;  his  wife  rode  another  which  carried  a  pair  of  panniers.  In 
each  of  the  baskets  a  child  was  placed,  the  other  the  mother  brought 
in  her  arms. 

Wheeled  carriages  for  people  to  ride  in  were  but  little  used  at  the 
period  of  1800.  Riding  horseback  was  the  usual  mode  of  travelling 
when  people  rode.  It  was  common  for  two  persons  to  ride  upon  one 
horse.  Men  took  their  wives  and  daughters  to  church  upon  their 
horses  behind  them.  A  youug  man  would  gallant  a  lady  friend  upon 
his  horse  behind  him  with  as  much  pride  as  one  does  now  in  a  nice 
carriage.  A  pillion  was  placed  behind  the  saddle,  and  fastened  to  it 
for  the  person  to  sit  upon  that  rode  behind. 


84 


HISTORY    OF   SWANZET. 


For  a  long  time  one  of  the  most  travelled  thoroughfares  in  Cheshire 
county  was  the  road  that  passed  through  the  centre  of  Swanzey.  The 
road  passed  south  from  the  Centre  and  then  turned  to  the  soutlieast 
and  passed  up  over  the  hill  into  what  was  then  Fitzwilliam,  now  Troy. 
A  large  part  of  the  teaming  from  Cheshire  county,  and  much  of  that 
of  Vermont  going  to  Boston,  passed  over  this  road. 

This  travel  made  business  for  public  houses  at  the  Centre  and  for 
one  on  the  hill  in  that  part  of  Swanzey  which  is  included  in  Troy. 
The  one  on  the  hill  was  a  noted  house.  It  was  first  kept  by  Henry 
Morse  and  then  by  Francis  Goodhue. 

A  man  fashional)ly  dressed  wore  a  ruffled  shirt  bosom,  short 
breeches,  long  stockings,  knee  buckles,  a  powdered  wig,  and  a  cocked 
hat. 

The  women's  clothing  was  mostly  made  from  homespun,  woollen 
and  linen  goods ;  but  nice  silk  dresses  wei'e  not  uncommon.  Most 
women  in  comfortable  circumstances  had  a  scarlet  woolen  cloak  made 
with  a  hood.     These  cloaks  were  made  from  imported  goods. 

The  following  named  persons  became  residents  of  Swanzey  and 
were  taxed  in  the  town  for  the  first  time  in  the  following  years  : 

1802. 

Solomon  Mattliews, 
William  Newcomb, 
Uriah  Parmenter. 


Phinehas  Field, 
Garinter  Hastings, 
Cornelius  Hines, 


Abraham  Aldrich, 
David  Bennett, 
John  Fitch, 
Richard  Gale, 

Benjamin  Barrett, 
.John  Guild, 
George  Hill, 
Wid.  Hannah  Kelley, 

Nahum  Baldwin, 
Nehemiah  Bennett, 
James  Brewer, 
Eleazer  Franklin, 

James  Cummings, 
David  Dwinuell, 


1803. 

Selah  Smead, 
Sibley  Taft, 
Levi  VVhitcomb, 
Gideon  G.  Willis. 

1804. 

Abraham  Stearns, 
Abijah  Stearns, 
Noah  Stevens. 

1805. 

James  Sibley  Taft, 
Josiah  Whitcomb, 
Reuben  Worcester. 

1806. 

Joseph  Emerson, 
William  Fairbrother, 


GENERAL   OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


85 


Eleazer  Lovelaud, 
Joel  Mellen, 


Lot  Biugliam, 
Reuben  Britton, 
Luther  Chapmau, 

Nehemiali  Andrews, 
Fisher  Bullard, 
John  Cummings, 
Timothy  Feseudon, 
Levi  Long, 

Deliverance  Brown, 
Ahaz  Howard, 

Noah  Ames, 
David  Brown, 
Alpheus  Caprou, 
Jonas  Hunt, 

Levi  Dunham, 

Benoni  Austin, 
Jonas  Blodgett, 
James  Henry, 


David  Hosley, 
William  Rider, 

Clark  Brown, 
Henry  Cooper, 
Richard  Crossett, 
Jonathan  Hill, 
Jonathan  Locke, 
Lawson  Moore, 
Daniel  Osborn, 


John  Perry, 
Timothy  Smith. 


1807, 


Foster  Emerson, 
Laban  Starkey. 

1808. 

Eleazer  Mason, 
Peter  Rice, 
Paul  Raymond, 
Zadoc  Taft, 
Daniel  Wetherbee. 

1809. 

Moses  Howard. 

1810. 

John  Long, 
Zadoc  L.  Taft, 
Brown  Taft, 
Barnard  Wheeler. 

1811. 

Samuel  Holden. 


1812. 


Hale  Mason, 
Asaliel  Shirtleff, 
Daniel  Verry. 

1813. 

Phinehas  Stone. 

1814. 

Alpheus  Perry, 
Joseph  Slate, 
George  Stevens, 
Thomas  Wheelock, 
Levi  Willard, 
Josiah  Wilson. 


86 


HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 


John  Black, 
Williiim  Black, 

Jeremiah  Amidon, 
William  Bridge, 
Joualhau  Hill, 
Silas  Jones, 

William  Balch, 
Nathan  Ellis, 
Jonathan  Holbrook, 

Jonathan  Babbit, 
John  Cximmings, 
Robert  Emerson, 

Ephraim  K.  Frost, 
Stephen  Harris, 
Josiah  Leach, 
Peter  Rogers, 

Henry  Baxter, 
Calvin  Bemis, 

Sands  Aldrich, 
Otis  Capron, 
Joseph  Carter, 
Calvin  Field, 

John  Chamberlain, 
Bela  Chase, 
Joel  Eaton, 
Davis  Healey, 

Tristan  Aldrich, 
Simeon  Ellis, 
Abijah  Gilsou, 


1815. 

Daniel  Rajmiond, 
James  Underwood. 

1816. 

Barton  Kelley, 
William  Morse, 
Bartholomew  Parsons. 

1817. 

John  Leonard, 
Martin  Stone. 

1818. 

Ezra  Emerson, 
Alexander  Perry. 

1819. 

ZadoC  Rogers, 
David  Stone, 
Natlianiel  Thompson, 
John  Withington. 

1820. 

Zachariah  Field, 
Samuel  Stone. 

1821. 

Amos  Houghton, 
Charles  Howland, 
Jonathan  Martin, 
Elisha  Simonds. 

1822. 

Aaron  Lombaixl, 
Samuel  Russell, 
Ebenezer  Warren, 
Israel  Woodward. 

1823. 

Levi  Lewis, 
Martin  Thompson. 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


87 


Charles  Frost, 
David  Holbrook, 
Alvin  Nasoii, 
Barnabas  C.  Peters, 
Jesse  Peters, 

Seth  Leonard, 
Baxter  Murdock, 

Jonathan  W.  C apron, 
George  Darling, 
Jonathan  Jackson, 
layman  Parker, 
Eoswell  Parker, 

Hardin  Albee, 
"William  Sebastian, 

Alfred  Britton, 
Ebenezer  Colman, 

Archer  Campbell,     , 
Oliver  Capron, 
David  Hill, 
Daniel  Linsej^, 

Hiram  BoUes, 
Lockhart  Brockway, 
George  Bucklin, 
Russell  Ballon, 
Howard  Clark, 


1824. 

Silas  Wheeler, 
William  Wheelock, 
Charles  Wilson, 
Stilmau  Wilson. 

1825. 

William  Winchester, 
Allen  Woodward. 

1826. 

Carlton  Parker, 
Reuben  Porter, 
Charles  Pratt, 
Peter  Starkey, 
William  Southworth. 

1827. 

Daniel  Temple. 

1828. 

James  Emerson, 
Major  Gould. 

1829. 

Joseph  Newell, 
Thomas  Ockiiigtou, 
Jairus  Perry, 
Amasa  S.  Rogers. 

1830. 

Charles  Greene, 
Asa  Jackson, 
George  Oliver, 
Elias  Thatcher. 


From  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  town  to  the  end  of  the 
century  there  was  no  necessity  for  common  laborers  to  go  from  home 
to  obtain  work.  Clearing  and  cultivating  the  land  and  the  labors  inci- 
dent to  a  new  settlement  gave  employment  to  all  who  wished  to  Avork. 
About  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  many  of  the  young  men 
began  to  look  to  other  places  for  temporary  employment  and  perma- 


88  >  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

nent  homes.  Some  went  to  Vermont,  New  York,  Pennsj-lvania,  Ohio, 
and  some  to  Canada.  A  few  went  to  Maine  and  some  drifted  down 
to  ]Massachusetts.  For  a  limited  time  many  went  to  the  St.  Lawrence 
river  in  Canada  and  worked  at  boating  on  that  river.  Others  went 
down  to  Conneeticnt  river  towns  and  hibored  at  farming ,  others  went 
to  Boston  and  vieinitv  and  worked  at  gardeninsi,  truekino-  drawino; 
a  hand  cait,  or  found  employment  on  board  a  fishing  vessel.  The 
expense  of  riding  in  a  coach  was  too  great  for  these  men  in  going  to 
and  returning  from  these  places  of  temporary  abode.  A  common 
practice  for  a  young  man  was  to  take  a  few  articles  of  clothing,  do 
them  up  in  a  bundle,  swing  it  on  his  back  and  walk. 

Between  the  years  1810  and  1820  a  large  number  of  the  women  in 
Swanzey  were  engaged  in  weaving  cotton  cloth  in  liand  looms.  Some 
men  made  a  business  of  going  to  Rhode  Island  with  a  team  for  the 
yarn,  distributing  it  to  the  weavers  in  the  different  families  and  gath- 
ering up  the  clotli  after  it  was  woven. 

Next  to  farming  the  most  important  business  in  Swanzey  from  first 
to  last  has  been  the  working  of  pine  into  building  material  and  wooden 
ware.  The  large  quantity  of  superior  old  growtli  pine,  when  sawed 
into  lumber,  has  always  been  an  article  of  export.  Saw  mills  were 
early  built  not  only  on  the  larger  but  on  the  smaller  streams.  In  1830, 
the  number  of  sites  where  one  of  these  mills  stood  or  had  stood  was 
not  less  than  fifteen.     All  of  them  were  the  old-fashioned  sash  mills. 

For  many  years  about  this  date  an  extensive  business  was  carried 
on  in  transporting  lumber  to  Northfield  where  it  was  "  rafted  "  down 
the  Connecticut  river,  finding  a  market  at  Springfield,  Hartford  and 
New  Haven. 

The  mills  were  heavily  stocked  during  the  winter  with  pine  logs 
and  were  often  run  day  and  night  during  the  spring  in  cutting  out 
the  lumber.  This,  when  seasoned,  was  ''carted"  (usually  in  May  and 
June,  August  and  September)  to  Northfield.  This  work  was  mostly 
done  by  farmers  with  ox  teams.  The  route  from  East  Swanzey  was 
by  the  B.  F.  Lombard  and  Atkinson  places  through  '\Vesti)ort  and 
Winchester  and  over  the  Northfield  hills,  making  a  long  and  laborious 
trip  occn|>ying  the  larger  part  of  two  days.  A  brake  on  the  wagon 
was  not  then  used,  a  temporar}'  pole  between  the  pairs  of  cattle  being 
supplied  to  assist  in  holding  back  in  going  down  the  steep  grades. 

The  teams  ordinarily  consisted  of  two  pairs  of  oxen,  sometimes 
only  one  pair  and  a  horse,  and  sometimes  three  pairs.  The  teamsters 
expended  but  little  money  on  the  road,  food  for  both  themselves  and 
teams  being  carried  from  their  homes.     But  very  little  grain  was  fed 


I 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY.  89 

by  farmers  to  cattle  in  those  days,  hay  being  used  almost  exclusively 
for  fodder. 

Most  farmers  at  this  period  kept  an  ox  team,  and  most  had  more  or 
less  pine  timber  on  their  lands.  The  sale  of  this  timber  year  by  year 
and  the  money  they  received  from  the  lumbermen  for  teaming  gave 
them  the  means  of  paying  their  taxes  and  furnishing  the  necessary 
supplies  for  their  families. 

The  making  of  split  and  shaved  pine  shingles  was  an  important  in- 
dustry in  the  town  for  many  years.  The  excellent  pine  timber  was 
well  adapted  to  this  business. 

Early  in  the  present  century  macliines  for  sawing  pointed  shingles 
were  introduced.  By  a  self-setting  arrangement,  they  would  saw  from 
each  end  of  a  block  first  a  butt  end  of  a  shingle  then  the  pointed  end. 
The  block  to  be  sawed  was  held  in  position  by  dogs.  Tliere  were  four 
or  five  of  these  machines  in  operation  at  the  same  time  previous  to 
the  introduction  of  the  pail  business.  The  merchants  in  the  town 
were  generally  dealers  in  shingles. 

For  a  long  time  after  the  town  was  settled  good  pine  timber  was 
of  but  little  value,  and  large,  coarse  and  defective  trees  of  no  value. 
These  worthless  trees  were  generally  left  standing  to  avoid  the  labor 
of  cutting.  After  a  piece  of  timber  land  had  been  cut  over  it  was 
generally  burned,  purposely  or  accidentally,  and  all  the  trees  not  pre- 
viously dead  would  be  killed.  As  late  as  1830  large  numbers  of  these 
trees  could  be  seen  in  almost  all  directions,  some  of  them  retaining 
their  bark  and  limbs  and  some  entirely  destitute  of  them,  presenting 
nothing  but  a  tall  black  stump.  These  old  trees  gave  the  town  in 
many  places  a  very  disagreeable  appearance  and  where  they  stood  in 
mowing  lands  they  were  a  constant  annoyance  1)}'  the  falling  of  limbs 
and  bark.  For  a  long  time  the  constant  springing  up  of  young  pines 
was  a  great  trouble  to  the  farmers.  It;  took  but  a  few  years  for  many 
of  the  pastures  to  become  so  much  covered  with  them  that  they  would 
be  worthless  for  grazing  purposes.  No  one  appeared  to  think  that 
any  benefit  would  be  derived  by  letting  them  grow.  It  was  an  indi- 
cation of  a  shiftless  farmer  to  see  his  pastures  covered  with  small  sap- 
ling pines.  Many  acres  of  pines  of  a  larger  growth,  such  as  would 
now  be  very  valuable  for  timber,  were  cut  and  burned  on  the  ground 
merely  to  get  them  out  of  the  way. 

The  farmers  at  tins  period  endeavored  to  produce  large  quantities 
of  corn,  rye,  potatoes,  beef  and  pork.  They  bought  but  little  flour, 
grain  or  wheat.  They  cultivated  large  areas  of  land  and  manured 
sparingly,  generally  in  the  hill,  instead  of  spreading  broadcast. 


90  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

For  the  raising  of  mone3'  by  the  sale  of  grain,  oats  were  relied  up- 
on more  than  corn  or  rye.  They  were  alvva^'s  in  demand  b}^  those  who 
kept  public  houses.  Oats  were  generally  sown  ui)on  land  wlien  it 
was  seeded  to  grass,  and  upon  land  which  had  previously  been  [ilanted 
wit!)  potatoes  and  corn.  Tlie  condition  of  the  ha}^  fields  at  this  time 
(1830)  and  the  tools  used  made  haying  a  season  of  intensely  hard 
labor.  Most  of  the  labor-saving  machines  now  in  use  on  tiie  farm 
had  never  been  heard  of.  Much  of  the  mowing  land,  especially  on 
the  hills,  was  thickl}^  set  with  stumps  and  sandwiclied  with  stones. 
The  first  crops  of  grass  and  grain  on  this  primitive  soil  were  very 
stout,  but  continual  cropping  with  slight  manuring,  had  so  diminished 
the  fertilit}'  that  much  of  the  hay  crop  was  veiy  light — hardly  worth 
gathering.  Most  farmers  had  then,  as  now,  more  or  loss  meadow  land, 
but  this  was  often  quite  remote  from  the  homestead.  There  was  al- 
wa3's  winter  rye  to  be  harvested  ;  extensive  fields  of  which  were  u[)on 
new  ground  and  had  to  be  reaped.  With  all  the  help  that  could  be 
obtained  it  took  usually  not  less  than  six  or  seven  weeks  to  finish  the 
haying  and  tiie  harvesting.  Men  went  into  the  field  at  sunrise,  and 
they  were  fortunate  if  their  work  was  done  before  sundown.  Men  and 
bo\'s  did  not  do  all  the  farm  work  during  haying,  some  women  and 
girls  worked  in  the  hay  fields  in  the  afternoon  about  as  constantly  as 
the  men  ;  and  others  that  did  not  work  in  the  field  drove  up  the 
cows  and  milked  them. 

Quite  a  large  quantity  of  cider  was  drank  at  this  time.  There  were 
but  few  men  that  did  not  use  it.  There  were  probably'  as  mau}^  as  a 
dozen  cider  mills  in  the  town  that  were  kept  constantly  in  use  during 
the  fall  to  make  the  annual  supply  of  cider.  The  old-fashioned  mill  ; 
the  horse  attached  to  the  end  of  the  sweep,  slowly  circling  around, 
turning  the  fluted  rollers,  the  jaws  of  which  received  the  a[»ples  as 
the}' descended  from  the  hopper  ;  the  peculiar  squeak  of  these  timl)ers 
as  they  revolved  and  received  the  apples  in  their  embrace  ;  the  numer- 
ous barrels  about  the  establishment ;  the  loads  of  apples;  the  piles 
of  straw  and  pumice  ;  the  boy  with  a  straw  in  his  mouth  bending  over 
the  barrel  sucking  the  newly  made  beverage  ; — this  was  the  picture 
two  generations  ago.  Some  farmers  placed  yearly,  from  ten  to  thiity 
barrels  of  cider  in  their  cellars. 

Home-made  woollen  clothes  for  men  and  women,  boys  and  girls, 
were  made  in  the  families  of  most  farmers.  For  making  the  wool  in- 
to rolls  two  sets  of  machinery  were  run  by  water  power;  one  at  East 
the  other  at  West  Swanzey.  There  were  but  fevv  women  that  could 
not  use  the  spinning  wheel  for  making  the  rolls  into  yarn.     For  mak- 


GENERAL    OUTLINE    HISTORY.  91 

ing  stockings,  flannels  find  frocking,  tlie  yarn  was  colored  by  the 
women.  Cloth  that  was  designed  for  men's  and  boys'  clothing  was 
woven  from  uncolored  yarn.  This  cloth  went  to  tlie  clothier  to  be  fin- 
ished. The  finishing  consisted  in  fnlling,  coloring,  shearing  and 
jiressing.  Tlie  clothier's  trade  was  one  of  the  important  trades  of 
tlie  time.  Years  of  apprenticeship  were  reqnired  to  learn  it.  There 
were  clothiers'  mills  at  East  and  West  Swanzey,  Factory  Village, 
Westport  and  at  Swanzey  Pond.  For  an  establishment  it  required  a 
good-sized  building,  water  power  and  expensive  raachiner}-.  Men's 
and  boys'  woollen  clothes  were  made  mostly  by  women  tailors,  going 
from  house  to  house  to  do  the  work. 

Farmers  would  take  the  hides  of  their  slaughtered  cattle  to  the  tan- 
ner  and  have  them  tanned  for  their  own  use.  In  payment  the}'  would 
be  quite  likel}'  to  sell  some  hemlock  bark  if  such  they  had.  Most  of 
the  tanning  for  the  people  of  the  town  was  done  bj'Capt.  Levi  Blake. 
The  making  of  boots  and  shoes  gave  emplo3'ment  to  many  men,  whose 
shops  were  located  in  diflTerent  parts  of  the  town.  Some  of  these 
men  made  a  practice  of  going  to  tlie  homes  of  the  people  and  doing  the 
family  shoemaking.  Many  farmers  had  a  few  shoemakers'  tools  and 
did  their  own  cobbling. 

The  raising  and  working  of  flax  ceased  previous  to  1830.  At  this 
time  but  few  i)ersons  rode  horseback  as  their  fathers  and  mothers  had 
done  fifty  years  before.  Wheel  carriages  had  been  brought  into  gen- 
eral use.  A  common  wagon  and  a  nice  chaise  were  the  ordinary  ve- 
hicles. The  wagons  were  made  with  a  framed  bod}"^  which  was  set 
solid  on  wooden  axletrees.  Tlie  seats  rested  on  wooden  arm-springs 
attached  to  timber  sill  springs.  The  wagons  were  made  with  skeaned 
wooden  axletrees,  and  the  wheels  were  fastened  upon  the  axletrees 
with  linch-pins.  The  chaise  of  those  times  was  a  nice  well-made  car- 
riage. It  was  too  expensive  for  most  people  to  have.  Of  those  per- 
sons in  town  who  did  have  such  a  carriage  were  Rev.  E.  Colman,  Hon. 
E.  Belding,  Hon.  PI  Carpenter,  Maj.  E.  Page,  Capt.  Levi  Blake,  Capt. 
Benj.  Brown,  Capt.  David  Holbrook,  Amos  Bailey,  Esq.,  Israel  Stan- 
ley', Alexander  Perry  and  Alvah  Tiiompson. 

There  were  two  meeting  houses  in  town,  the  one  at  the  Centre  was 
what  is  now  the  town-house,  and  the  one  at  West  Swanzey  was  the 
present  Baptist  church.  A  veiy  fair  proportion  of  the  people  at- 
tended service  at  one  or  the  other  of  these  houses.  Nearl}'  all  were 
farmers  with  their  families.  Many  of  these  farmers  kept  mares  from 
which  they  raised  colts.  During  church  hours  on  Sundays  these  ani- 
mals might  be  seen  hitched  under  the  horse  sheds,  shade  trees  and  to 


92  HISTORY   OF   SAVANZEr. 

the  fences.  The  invariable  rule  was  to  have  two  services  and  a  long 
intermission  between  thein.  Sunday  schools  had  not  been  establislied, 
so  there  was  nothing  better  for  the  boys  to  do  during  interniission 
than  to  look  at  the  colts  and  ascertain  which  was  the  most  valuable. 
After  the  services  were  out,  in  bringing  the  teams  to  the  doors,  the 
colts  would  be  full  of  frolic,  get  away  from  their  mothers  and  go  off 
with  strange  horses.  Such  scenes  were  annoying  to  the  men  but  they 
made  fun  for  the  boys. 

Wages  were  low  compared  with  those  of  the  present  day.  Men 
would  work  on  a  farm  or  teach  school  for  ten  or  fiTteen  dollars  a  month  ; 
woidd  work  with  a  pair  of  oxen  logging  in  the  winter  for  a  dollar  and 
twenty-five  cents  a  day  ;  women  at  house  work  or  school-teaching 
woidd  receive  a  dollar  and  a  half  or  two  dollars  per  week. 

As  most  of  the  important  records  of  town  affairs  of  the  present 
centiny  are  more  appropriately  given  in  other  chapters,  but  few  will 
be  inserted  here. 

In  1833,  on  the  question  of  the  revision  of  the  State  Constitution  : 
164  voted  yes,  and  24  no.  Since  then  when  the  question  has  been 
before  the  people  of  the  town  they  hav>e  generally  voted  no. 

In  1.S36,  on  question  of  the  State  making  an  appropriation  for  an 
Insane  Hospital :  yes,  25  ;  no,  76. 

In  1837,  town  voted  to  receive  its  share  of  surplus  money  from 
U.  S.  government:  yes,  112;  no,  66.  P21ijah  Cari)enter  was  chosen 
agent  to  receive  and  loan  said  money  in  sums  not  exceeding  S300  nor 
less  than  $50,  giving  the  people  of  the  town  the  preference  in  nuUving 
the  loans. 

In  1844,  vote  on  abolishing  capital  punishment:  yes,  111  ;  no,  184. 

In  1854,  a  determined  effort  was  made  by  the  people  in  the  north- 
east part  of  the  town  to  have  their  territory,  including  the  Factory 
Village  and  what  is  now  Spragueville,  disannexed  from  Swanzey  and 
joined  to  Keene  ;  but  after  a  fair  hearing  before  a  committee  of  the 
legislature  the  project  failed  to  be  accomplished. 

The  following-named  persons  were  taxed  in  Swanzey  for  the  first 
time  in  the  following  years  : 

1831. 
Barney  Bowles,  Millins  Holbrook, 

Israel  Brown,  George  Metcalf, 

Benjamin  H.  Carlton,  Winslow  Parker, 

Wethcrbee  Chamberlain,  Aaron  "Wheeler. 

Horace  Drewrej*, 


GENERAL    OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


93 


Silas  Brewer, 
Josiah  B.  Cass, 
Benjamin  Flint, 


John  Bowker, 
Joseph  Hill, 
Dexter  Howard, 
Alvah  Holinan, 
Joseph  Putney, 

Noah  A  Id  rich, 
Everson  Cook, 
Francis  H.  Evelith, 
Franklin  Goodnow, 
Roberts  Hovey, 

George  W.  Howe, 
Franklin  Hoi  man, 
Samuel  D.  King, 


Orren  Black, 
Samuel  Carter, 
Lyman  Field, 
William  Flagg, 
Moses  Kinney, 

Sylvanus  Bartlett, 
George  W.  Ellis, 
Jacob  Patch, 
Elisha  Rockwood, 


Daniel  H.  Bates, 
William  Banks, 
William  Calkins, 
Jedediah  Cooper, 
Stephen  Faulkner, 


1832. 

Elbridge  G.  Goodell, 
AVilliam  Severance, 
Nathan  Winch. 

1833. 

John  P.  Sabin, 
Joshua  Stoddard, 
John  Stone, 
Lincoln  Wheelock. 

1834. 

Elisha  Hutchins, 
John  Hale, 
John  Lebourveau, 
Nathaniel  Oliver. 

1835. 

Jonas  H.  Merriam, 
Nathan  Watkins, 
Thomas  T.  Wetherbee. 

1836. 

Alva  Keyes, 
Erasmus  Marble, 
Francis  Morse, 
Jason  Tyler. 

1837. 

Thomas  Shapl}', 
William  Tenney, 
Benjamin  Thatcher, 
George  Thatcher. 

1838. 

Oliver  Lakin, 
Irus  Metcalf, 
William  Morse, 
George  Talbot. 


94 


HISTORY   OF   SWAXZEY. 


Jaivis  Bates, 
Albert  Butes, 
Peter  Bates, 
Roswell  Brairaf, 
Josepli  Barber, 

Alonzo  Ballon, 
P^benezer  Ciain, 
James  Capron, 
Chester  Lyman, 

Silas  Ballon, 
Orlando  Frink, 
Rufns  Gates, 
L^'man  Gates, 
WilUird  Gay, 
George  W.  Holbrook, 
Bemsley  Lord, 
Jesse  W.  Mnrpliy, 

George  W.  Alexander, 
Ansel  Bourn, 
Etiakim  Esterbrooks, 
Alfred  Marble, 

Daniel  Cobnrn, 
Harvey  W.  Cooper, 

Moses  D.  Ballon, 
"William  Barns, 
A.  P.  Barns, 
Aaron  E.  Bridges, 
William  D.  Chamberlain, 

Levi  Adams, 
Willard  Adams, 
Israel  Hale, 
Benjamin  Marvin, 


1839. 

Rnfus  Bo  wen, 
Lsaac  C.  Gray, 
David  Harris, 
Darius  E.  Wright. 

1840. 

Elislia  Munsell, 
Joseph  Read, 
Henry  Starkey, 
Reuben  Twitehel. 

1841. 

Samuel  Page, 
John  Stearns, 
Abraham  Spoffurd, 
Levi  Streeter, 
David  Taylor, 
Aaron  Wilson, 
Calvin  AVhite. 


1842. 


William  S.  INIansfield, 
George  Marsh, 
Jones  Plummer, 
Samuel  J.  Tenney. 


1843. 


William  W.  Goodnow, 
Samuel  Rockwood. 

1844. 

L.  J.  Fletcher, 
Josei)h  O.  Gary, 
John  F.  Jennison, 
Davis  H.  Wilson. 

1845. 

George  IL  Rice, 
Joseph  Ware, 
Merrick  Wetherbee, 
Calvin  Wright. 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


95 


Albert  R.  Ballon, 
Ainasji  Ballon, 
P^aiiklin  Ball, 
Orlando  Cooliclge, 

Harvey  Beal, 
Ozial  Ballon, 
Lorenzo  Ballon, 
Lavvson  Beckvvitli, 
Jonathan  Drnr}', 
Jeremiah  Ilale, 

Elijah  H.  Adams, 
Jolin  Fitzgeronid, 
Rnssell  B.  Hall, 
Josiali  Kellogg, 
Geoi"ge  Lord, 

Esqnire  Ballon, 
Abel  Bowers, 
Lewis  Carpenter, 
Prescott  D.  Cobnrn, 

San  ford  Bolles, 
John  II.  Blown, 
Eseck  Butfum, 
Sumner  Black, 
Asahel  W.  Dnnton, 
Gilbert  S.  Howard, 
Cyrene  Johnson, 
Seth  Leonard, 

Levi  Farnsworth, 
Isaac  Knight, 
Ell)ridge  G,  Prentice, 
George  W.  Robinson, 
Marshall  Rixford, 


1846. 

Daniel  Greenleaf, 
John  Foster, 
Shipley  W.  Knight. 

184S. 

Daniel  Hale, 
Robert  P.  Leonard, 
David  G.  Mason, 
Simeon  B.  Nelson, 
Galon  Whipple. 

1849. 

Harvey  Lawrence, 
Orrin  F.  Oakman, 
Jolin  S.  Tha3'ei', 
Benjamin  Wilson. 

1850. 

John  S.  Sargent, 
Joseph  Wilson, 
Alonzo  Wilson. 


1851, 


John  Mead, 
Silas  B.  Partridge, 
William  W.  Palmer, 
Charles  Temple, 
Levi  M.  Wellington, 
diaries  J.  White, 
George  H.  Wilder. 


1852. 


Howard  B.  Richardson, 

AYilliam  Sawyer, 
Farnnm  E.  Taft, 
Elliott  Whitcomb. 


96 


HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 


Davifl  L.  M.  Comings, 
Ciilvin  Combs, 
Leaiuler  Criiin, 
Lucius  C.  Doolittle, 
Jolin  F'oster, 
George  W.  Faulkner, 
G.  A.  Griggs, 

Jolin  C.  Bourn, 
Charles  Burnliam, 
Asa  B.  CiarU. 
Daniel  W.  Clark, 
William  Clark,  2(1, 
Amos  D.  Combs, 
Jonathan  G.  Huntley, 


Charles  Bowles, 
George  H.  Badger, 
Pvbenezer  F.  Bradford, 
Stilman  A.  Bigelow, 

Bailey  Corlis, 
Robert  Crofford, 
Orriek  L.  Haskell, 
Arza  Higgins, 
William  N.  Nason, 
Carlos  Quinn, 

Nathaniel  Bourn, 
Nathaniel  Bourn,  2d, 
Jarvis  Eaton, 
Luke  El  lor, 
Salmon  H.  Fox, 
Calvin  Newton, 


Willard  Ballon, 
Olis  D.  Hale, 


1853. 

Joseplius  Handy, 
Kobcrt  Hamilton, 
J.  T.  G.  Huntley, 
John  I).  Hale, 
William  l\i[)ley, 
Timothy  Sherman. 

1854. 

Andrew  Hannah, 
David  R.  Marshall, 
Isaac  Lampson, 
Proctor  Ruberts, 
Oratio  Stratton, 
Gardner  Wheeler, 
Edward  Wilcox. 

1855. 

Johp  A.  Bachelor, 
Samuel  INIattoon, 
Ephraim  P.  Rixford. 

1856. 

Isaac  Stowell, 
George  W.  Tonne}', 
George  P.  AVard, 
John  C.  Wel)ber, 
Moses  E.  Wright. 

1857. 

George  Porter, 
Frank  J.  Porter, 
Eli  W.  Reynolds, 
John  W.  Taggard, 
Daniel  P.  Tiiouipson, 
Francis  H.  Underwood. 

1858. 

Sanford  S.  Wilber. 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


97 


Louis  Broulett, 
Darwin  D.  Baxter, 
Asaph  Corlis, 
Heniy  F,  Clark, 
Amos  L.  Corey, 
Abraliam  Draper, 
George  W.  Draper, 


Grove  Bid  well, 
Orleans  S.  Eaton, 
Joseph  N.  Forrestall, 
Ciiarles  H.  Gove, 
Charles  G.  Gil  more, 
Allen  B.  Hay  ward, 

John  A.  Breed, 
Luther  Beal, 
David  Buffura, 
John  Crouch, 
Clark  B.  Crouch, 
Levi  Crouch, 
Warren  Hunt, 
Obed  Holton, 

Francis  S.  Fisher, 
Amos  H.  Ingalls, 
William  C.  Oakman, 


Anderson  Aldrich, 
Charles  Alexander, 


Patrick  Burke, 
George  W.  Eastman, 
Araasa  Fuller, 


Samuel  Bishop, 
George  I.  Cutler, 
7 


1859. 

Samuel  S.  Farris, 
William  I.  Sawyer, 
George  Sweetzer, 
Charles  Quinn, 
George  H.  Taylor, 
Chauncey  H.  Stone, 
George  W.  Worsley. 

1860. 

John  F.  Hunt, 
Jacob  Hart, 
William  Knight, 
San  ford  A.  Noyce, 
John  H.  Sparhawk. 

1861. 

Ira  Hooper, 
Samuel  Heard, 
John  E,  Norcross, 
Willard  S.  Perhara, 
Burrill  Porter, 
Granville  R.  Pratt, 
Luther  S.  Smith. 

1862. 

Charles  Talbot, 
Ithamer  Ward, 
Henry  Waid. 

1863.  , 

Asa  C.  Hemmenway, 
Benjamin  Mead. 

1864. 

Loren  P.  Hammond, 
Thomas  Lonegan, 
Eli  Thomas. 

1865. 

Daniel  H.  Dickinson, 
Franklin  B.  Forrestall, 


98 


HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 


Edwin  Foster, 
Cliarles  Marsh, 
David  Pellvy, 
John  A.  Rand, 


Alfred  S.  Blake, 
James  D.  Cheevcr, 
Martin  Cheever, 
Joseph  Ellor, 

Joel  Derby, 
Charles  A.  Follansbee, 
Ira  Giistine, 
Geo.  Hopkins, 
Warren  B.  Hubbard, 
A.  M.  Holt, 

Hiram  Avery, 
James  H.  Bates, 
Allen  Beal, 
George  W.  Brooks, 
William  Calkins, 


Roswell  Stowell, 
John  H.  Streeter, 
Lyman  Tenney. 


isne. 


Homer  Evans, 
Ohailiah  Spragne, 
p4)hraini  F.  Towns. 


1867, 


Alex.  Hopkins, 
F'.  A.  Lovering, 
Benjamin  Morrow, 
Frank  Pluff, 
Alonzo  A.  Tupper. 


1868. 


Richard  Grogan, 
Asa  S.  Kendall, 
Volne}^  A.  Marcy, 
N.  E.  Powers, 
Dexter  H.  Thomas. 


-John  H.  Barrus, 
John  Conlon, 
John  Conboy, 
Andrew  B.  Cook, 

.John  Fife, 
Walter  W.  Fish, 


1869. 

J.  W^'nian  Goodell, 
Martin  Hanrahan, 
Patrick  Hare, 
Alonzo  A.  Lewis, 
-  Jacob  Rich, 
J.  B.  Walton. 


W.  H.  Allen, 
'Geo.  W.  Allen, 
Charles  M.  Ballon, 
William  Casey, 
A.  S.  Maxfield, 
Oliver  L.  Nash, 


1870. 

E.  S.  Noyes, 
Thomas  Nay  Ion, 
William  Riple}', 
Hector  A.  Smith, 
JNahum  Ward. 


GENERAL   OUTLINE    HISTORr. 


99 


Lnther  Alexander, 
Cass  Bullock, 
Osmon  C.  Bidwell, 
Elisha  Burnham, 
Charles  W.  Castle, 
Amos  C.  Crouch, 
Timothy  Fitzgerald, 
George  W.  Faulkner, 

Elbridge  Amidon, 
Augustus  B.  Crouch, 
Ephraim  Crouch, 
Luman  B,  Crouch, 
Andrew  L.  Haskell, 
Fernando  P.  Hinds, 

Erdix  S.  Eastman, 
Stihnan  Fifield, 
Elijah  Howard, 
Ira  D.  Knight, 

Calvin  Alexander, 
John  Blake, 
James  M.  Collier, 

John  F.  Ballon, 
Philip  P.  Carlton, 

James  Biggs,  jr., 
Haskell  Carpenter, 
Dauphin  W.  Kendall, 

Michael  Cantlin, 
Arthur  B.  Davison, 
Warren  Ellis, 

Avery  Bryant, 
John  Cameron, 


1871. 

Henry  Fassett, 
Hiram  Forbush, 
Jarib  S.  Herrick, 
Benjamin  C.  Smith, 
Frank  N.  Stone, 
John  L.  Winch, 
Edward  Watson. 

1872. 

Charles  L.  Russell, 
George  W.  Richardson, 
Homer  Stratton, 
Francis  M.  Taft, 
Spencer  Tileston. 

1873. 

George  F.  Newell, 
Charles  Norwood, 
George  W.  Patterson, 
James  Price. 

1874. 

Horace  Fifield, 
Dana  Fuller, 
Charles  N.  Stone. 

1875. 

Franklin  Downing, 
Jehiel  White. 

1876.^ 

Michael  Pluff, 
Nelson  W.  Rice. 


1877. 

John  M.  Prentice, 
George  H.  Prime. 

1878. 

Timothj'  Donovan, 
Albert  W.  Hardy, 


100 


HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 


Charles  J.  Hanrahan, 
Daniel  P.  Newell, 
Henry  H.  Sanderson, 
Harvey  P.  Sanderson, 

Hiram  Bryant, 
Albert  S.  Bryant, 
William  W.  Ballou, 
Martin  G.  Cram, 
George  W.  Colon}', 


Edward  D.  Avery, 
Nelson  Collier, 


Nelson  Cataract, 
Frederic  Dolby, 
Asa  H.  Freeman, 
Albert  A.  French, 


John  B.  Adams, 
Edwin  Chandler, 
Edwin  H.  Davis, 
A.  E.  Flagg, 


John  A«  Bartlett, 
Irvin  Chandler, 
Frank  O.  Dodge, 
George  Gunn, 
Thomas  Hanrahan, 


"William  Bory, 
William  Bory,  jr., 
Charles  A.  Barden, 
L^man  P.  Beal, 


Daniel  Twitchell, 
Albert  G.  Ward, 
Anthony  S.  Whitcomb. 

1879. 

Fred  H.  Dickerman, 
Samuel  E.  Howard, 
Horace  N.  Irish, 
William  W.  Strickland, 
Edward  R.  Simonds. 

1880. 

Sylvester  M.  Cram, 
Stearns  Tarbox. 

1881. 

Wilber  Fitch, 
Nathan  F.  Newell, 
Jacbb  M.  Stoddard, 
George  A.  Tyrrell. 

1882. 

Walter  D.  Lovering, 
Leonard  Newell, 
Simeon  A.  Spring. 

1883. 

James  T.  Higgins, 
Hobert  L.  Kiblin, 
Walter  E.  Marsh, 
Zina  G.  Taft. 

1884. 

Charles  Bouvier, 
Fred  A.  Bartlett, 
Amos  E.  Beal, 
Peter  Bowen. 


Frank  P.  Atkinson, 


1885. 

Herbert  C.  At  wood. 


GENERAL   OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


101 


Charles  Eveleth, 
Daniel  Harper, 
Arson  L.  Mason, 


Frank  R.  Boyce, 
Joseph  Blanchette, 
Amasa  Marsh, 
Wm.  Montgomery, 
Dennis  O'Brien, 
Warren  E.  Peasly, 


1886. 

Robert  Pitts, 
Oilman  Raymond, 
Ira  White. 

1887. 

Nathan  B.  Rowe, 
Flavial  B.  Smith, 
Willard  B.  Smith, 
Charles  N.  Stone, 
Benjamin  Wheeler, 
George  F.  Woodwell. 


Benjamin  Bowen, 
Benjamin  Byam, 
Benjamin  F.  Byron, 
Andrew  Bloom, 
Justus  Putnam, 


Hardin  S.  Ford, 
Edward  Normandy, 


Andrew  E.  Bliss, 
Joseph  Bunting, 
Prentiss  Britton, 
Joshua  N.  Cole, 
Limon  Dustin, 
Alphonso  A.  Emer}^ 
Levi  EUor, 
Harvey  S.  Gates, 


1888. 

Joseph  F.  Rand, 
Artie  W.  Rixford, 
Lewis  A,  Spofford, 
Wm.  Thorning, 
Archie  Thompson. 

1889. 

John  Shover, 
Charles  E.  Lang. 

1890. 

Ethan  I.  Inman, 
Martin  G.  Jerome, 
Eri  B.  Jerome, 
Ceylon  E.  Lang, 
Orsamus  C.  Nash, 
Lester  H.  Towne, 
Ellery  L.  Verry, 
Harvey  Woodward. 


CHAPTEE  IV. 

Military  Affairs. 


Eaely  ^Military  Movements  Duking  the  Revolutionary  War — Soldiers 
AT  Bunker  Hill — Cambridge — Canada — Ticondeuoga,  etc. — Col. 
Hammond's  Ride — Beef  for  thk  Army — Bounties  and  Payments  to 
Soldiers — War  of  1812 — Action  of  the  Town  in  the  War  of  the 
Rebixlion — Enlistments — Draft — Bounties  Paid — Soldier's  Ini>ivid . 
UAL  Record — Military  Laws — Trainings  and  Musters — Swanzey's 
Military  Companies — Cavalry— Artillery — Rifle  Co. — Officers  of 
Each. 

IN  the  early  settlement  of  the  town  a  military  spirit  pervaded  all 
classes  of  people.  To  have  a  militaYy  title  affixed  to  one's  name 
was  considered  as  a  mark  of  honorable  distinction.  Soon  after  the 
first  settlement  a  piece  of  land  was  laid  common  for  a  training  field. 
This  was  situated  north  and  northwest  of  the  present  town  house. 
As  long  as  it  was  supposed  that  Swanzey  belonged  to  Massachusetts, 
the  men  v\rere  doubtless  trained  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  that 
state  ;  but  when  it  was  found  that  the  town  was  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  New  Hampshire,  and  while  the  latter  state  hesitated  in  exercising 
its  control  over  the  people  in  this  part  of  the  state,  it  is  probable  that 
the  people  were  not  required  by  the  force  of  law  to  perform  any  mil- 
itary service. 

Swanzey  suffered  less  during  the  French  and  Indian  wars  than  most 
of  the  other  towns  in  this  vicinity  ;  partly  for  the  reason  that  it  had 
strong  forts  garrisoned  mostly  by  its  own  soldiers. 

As  there  was  a  continual  want  of  soldiers  during  this  period  to  gar- 
rison the  forts  and  protect  the  laborers  in  the  fields,  it  is  not  likely 
that  the  men  did  much  service  except  as  members  of  those  military 
organizations  sent  from  Massachusetts  for  the  protection  of  the  set- 
tlements, or  volunteering  in  cases  of  special  emergencies. 

In  1760  New  Hampshire  had  organized  the  militia  in  this  part  of  \ 
the  state  (Cheshire  and  Sullivan  Counties)  into  one  regiment.     Josiah 
Willard  was  its  colonel.     At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary 
war  three  regiments  had  been  organized  in  place  of  the  first  one. 
(102) 


130 

Chesterfield, 

191 

171 

Westmoreland, 

165 

138 

Surry, 

44 

169 

Gilsum, 

39 

33 

MILITAKY   AFFAIRS.  103 

That  to  which  Swanzey  belonged  in  1777  was  the  thirteenth  in  the 
state.  The  towns  composing  it  and  the  number  of  men  enrolled  in  each 
town  were  as  follows  : 

Winchester, 

Keene, 

Swanzey, 

Richmond, 

Hinsdale, 

Total,  1080 

The  enrollment  included  those  from  sixteen  to  fifty  years  of  age. 
Samuel  Ashley  of  Winchester  was  colonel  of  the  regiment.  The  ex- 
perience which  many  of  the  men  in  the  militia  at  the  commencement 
of  the  Revolutionary  war  had  had  in  the  French  and  Indian  wars  qual- 
ified them  for  valuable  officers  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

The  history  of  Swanzey  during  this  war  shows  that  the  public  sen- 
timent of  the  town  was  decidedly  in  favor  of  repelling  the  aggressions 
of  the  mother  country.  The  following  petition  of  Capt.  Joseph  Ham- 
mond shows  the  prompt  action  that  was  taken  when  it  was  learned 
that  the  battle  of  Lexington  had  been  fought  two  days  before  : 

[Petition  of  Joseph  Hammond  :  addressed  to  the  General    Court 

Dec.  13,  1786.] 

"  The  Petition  of  Joseph  Hammond  of  Swanzey  in  the  County  of 

Cheshire,  Gentleman,  Humbly  Shevveth — 

That  your  Petitioner  (on  the  Twenty-first  Day  of  April,  1775)  was 
Chosen  Captain  of  the  Company  of  Militia  in  Svvanzey  and  on  said 
Day  Marched  the  Greater  part  of  Said  Company  (viz)  one  Lieuten- 
ant one  Ensign  4  Sergents  4  Corporals  and  52  Privates  In  Defence  of 
the  Country  against  the  British  Troops.  Your  Petitioner  and  his 
Company  Marched  to  Cambridge  where  we  were  Stationed  for  one 
Week  and  untill  properly  discharged.  Of  Said  Company  there  was 
22  Men  who  Inlisted  for  Eiglit  Months  and  drew  pay  from  their  first 
Marching,  but  the  whole  of  Said  Company  who  did  not  Inlist  altho 
they  ware  in  the  Service  of  tlie  State  13  Days  and  Cheafly  on  their 
own  expence  have  never  yet  Received  any  Reward  for  said  Service. 

Your  Petitioner  therefore  in  behalf  of  himself  and  his  Men  Most 
Humbly  prays  his  Hon'''  Body  to  take  the  Matter  into  their  Wise  con- 
sideration and  Grant  both  him  and  them  a  Reward  for  their  Service 
equal  to  what  others  have  liad  for  like  Service. 

and  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  praj'. 

Joseph  Hammond,  Capt." 


104 


HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 


It  has  been  said  that  Capt.  Hammond's  company  assembled  at  his 
house  and  were  ready  to  start  at  sunrise  the  twenty-first. 

We  make  the  following  roll  of  Capt.  Hammond's  company  from  the 
town  records  of  bounties  paid  to  its  Revolutionary  soldiers  for  ser- 
vices performed  at  different  times  and  places,  which  we  think  is  nearly 
correct. 


Capt.  Joseph  Hammond, 

Lieutenant  Daniel  Warner, 

Ensign  Timothy  Bishop, 

John  Applin, 

Elijah  Belding, 
*Moses  Belding, 

Eleazer  Brown, 

Daniel  Bishop, 

Thomas  Cresson,  jr., 

Ephraira  Cummings, 

Joseph  Cummings, 
t*Enoch  Cummings, 
f*Nehemiah  Cummings, 

William  Carpenter, 

Joseph  Dickinson, 
*Amos  Day, 

Daniel  Day, 
*Joshua  Durant, 
t*Levi  Durant, 

Nathaniel  Foster, 

John  Follett,  jr., 

Benjamin  Follett, 

Calvin  Frink, 
*Daniel  Gunn, 

Wyat  Gunn, 

Joshua  Graves, 

Elijah  Graves,  jr., 
*Joseph  Greene, 
*Thomas  Greene, 

William  Grimes,  jr., 

James  Grimes, 


t*Abraham  Grillith, 

f* Joseph  Hammond,  jr., 

Isaac  Hammond, 

Edward  Hazen, 

Samuel  Hills, 
t*Nathaniel  Hills,  sen., 
t*Benjamin  Hews, 
■f-*Williain  Heatou, 

Uriah  How, 

Jethro  Kimball, 
*Eli  Kimball, 

Elkanah  Lane,  sen., 

Jonathan  Nicols,  jr., 

Aaron  Parsons, 
*Benjamin  Parker, 
t*Amasa  Parkei', 

Samuel  Page, 
*Josiah  Prime, 

Simeon  Puffer, 

Levi  Rugg, 

John  Rugg, 

Peuticost  Stanley, 

Henry  Stevens, 
t*Hezekiah  Scott, 

Benjamin  Starkey, 
*Jonatlian  Whitcomb, 

Elisha  Whitcomb, 
t*Abijah  Whitcomb, 

John  Whitcomb, 

Sauiuel  Wright, 
*Jonathan  Woodcock. 


Charles  Grimes, 

The  names  of  the  twenty-two  men  of  Capt.  Hammond's  company 
who  enlisted  for  eight  months  are  marked  with  a  *. 

Jonathan  Whitcomb  was  commissioned  captain  of  one  of  the  New 


(^^/>^ 


^-^^'■^f^^^-^'-z^ 


MILITARY    AFFAIES.  105 

Hampsliire  companies  that  were  raised  immediately  after  the  battles 
of  Lexington  and  Concord,  and  attached  to  Col.  Read's  regiment. 
Tlie  names  of  Swanzey  men  in  his  company  are  marked  with  a  f. 

Capt.  Whitcomb  was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  with  his  company 
and  he  was  commended  for  his  "resolution." 

Of  the  other  ten  of  the  twenty-two  Capt.  Hines  of  Chesterfield  had 
in  his  compan}'  Moses  Belding  ;  Capt.  Thomas  of  Rindge  had  Benja- 
min Parker,  and  Thomas  Green  was  in  Col.  Stark's  regiment. 

To  what  regiments  the  remaining  seven  belonged,  is  not  known,  but 
probabl}'  to  some  in  Massachusetts. 

Capt.  Oliver  Capron  of  Richmond  was  in  a  Massachusetts  regiment 
with  a  company  and  had  in  it,  of  Swanzey  men,  Joseph  Starkey  and 
Abner  Da}-. 

Dr.  Calvin  Frink  was  surgeon  in  Col.  Stark's  regiment  at  Cam- 
bridge. 

Among  those  wounded  at  Bunker  Hill  were  Thomas  Green  and 
Benjamin  Parker  of  Svvanze3^  Parker  was  returned  as  mortally 
wounded  but  he  recovered  and  continued  in  the  service  and  was  killed 
at  Stillwater. 

From  the  following  petition  we  infer  that  Green's  wound  proved 
to  be  quite  serious. 

"The  petition  of  Thomas  Green  of  Swanzey  in  the  County  of  Che- 
shire in  said  state — Humbly  sheweth — 

That  your  Petitioner  in  the  Year  1775,  at  the  Commencement  of 
Hostilities  between  Great  Britain  and  America  Inlisted  as  a  private 
soldier  in  defence  of  his  Country,  in  Capt.  Scott's  Company'  and  Col. 
Stark's  Regiment ;  and  that  on  the  Memorable  17th  of  June  1775  your 
Petitioner  was  called  to  Action  at  Bunker  Hill,  in  which  Battle  he 
Received  a  wound  by  a  Musket  Ball  entering  his  left  Shoulder,  where- 
by he  was  for  a  long  time  totally  Disabled  from  Labour,  and  having 
no  other  means  of  subslstance  for  himself  and  family  but  by  Husban- 
dry on  a  new  tract  of  Land,  renders  his  Worldly  Circumstances  very 
Indigent. 

Your  Petitioner  some  3'ears  since  made  Application  to  the  General 
Court  of  this  state,  and  was  allowed  Wages  as  a  Garrison  Soldier  for 
one  year,  but  being  in  Paper  Currency  and  not  received  till  some  con- 
siderable Time  afterwards  was  of  very  little  Value  by  reason  of  De- 
preciation.* Since  that  Time  your  Petitioner  has  been  (as  he  is  in- 
formed) struck  out  of  the  List  of  such  Soldiers  which  Received  pa}^  as 
fit  for  Garrison  Dut}^  while  others  in  like  Circumstances  still  Receive 
something  from  the  state,  as  a  Compensation  for  past  Sufferings. 


106  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Your  Petitionei-  therefore  HLunbly  pra\^es  tluit  your  Honors  would 
take  the  matter  into  consideration  and  Grant  him  such  Relief  as  in  your 
Wisdom  you  shall  think  proper. 

And  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  ever  pray. 

Tho^  Green." 
Svvanzey,  June  11,  1785. 

We  the  Subscribers,  do  hereby  Certify  that  the  above  said  Thomas 
Green  was  wounded  at  the  Battle  of  Bunkers  Hill  in  the  year  1775,  and 
that  the  wound  he  then  Received  is  now  broke  open  and  become  a 
Running  Ulcer  ;  and  we  would  Humbly  Recomend  hiiu  as  an  Object 
Worthy  of  the  Hon.  the  General  Courts  Attention. 

Elkanah  Lane  i    Selectmen 
Elisha  Scott      i  of  Swanzey. 

Calvin  Frink,    Surgeon." 

[In  H.  of  Rep.  June  16,  1785,  voted,  that  he  be  allowed  eighteen 
shillings  per  month  until  further  orders.] 

Col.  Joseph  Hammond  who  went  to  Cambridge  at  the  head  of  a 
company  of  Swanzey  soldiers  immediately  after  the  battles  of  Lexing- 
ton and  Concord  was  at  home  when  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  was 
fought.  He  knew  that  a  number  of  Swanzey  men  were  in  the  army 
in  that  vicinity  and  among  them  his  son  Joseph.  When  he  heard  that 
the  battle  had  been  fought  he  prepared  to  start  the  following  morn- 
ing for  the  field  of  conflict,  that  he  might  know  the  result  of  the  bat- 
tle. In  the  morning  he  started  and  rode  through  in  a  day,  a  distance 
of  about  ninety  miles  and  returned  the  next  day.  The  following  poem 
describes  this  famous  ride. 

"  Says  old  Colo.  Hammond  I'd  like  to  know 
The  fate  on  the  morrow  of  mj^  sou  .Joe ; 
I  learn  by  the  herald  that  rode  by  to-night 
The  unwelcome  news  of  the  Bunker  Hill  fight. 
Nor  doubt  I  a  moment  my  son  Joe  was  there 
In  fighting  our  foe  men  to  fight  his  full  shai-c ; 
And  I  have  resolved  and  approved  of  the  plau, 
To  ofl'  on  the  morroAv  and  learn  what  I  can. 
So  wife  in  the  morning  the  breakfast  prepare, 
While  I  catch  and  curry  the  old  red  mare. 
Till  then  let  us  sleep,  'tis  needful  we  rest, 
And  dream  what  we  may  we  will  hope  for  the  best. 
The  Colo  rose  early  and  early  prepared 
To  start  on  his  journey  as  he  had  declared ; 
And  soon  in  the  door-yard  the  old  mare  was  tied, 
All  saddled,  all  bridled,  all  fit  for  a  ride. 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  107 

The  Colonel's  cocked  hat  he  pat  on  his  head, 
His  spurs  on  the  heels  of  his  boots,  as  he  said. 
Wife,  now  my  blue  coat  and  my  doublet  of  bufl', 
And  I  shall  be  rigged  for  the  ride  weU  enough. 
The  sun  got  up  some  minutes  before 
The  Colonel  was  ready  to  step  from  the  door, 
And  say  to  his  lady  good  morn  or  good  bye, 
Then  thinking  of  Joseph  a  tear  in  her  eye, 
He  reached  for  the  bridle  when  started  the  mare, 
And  snorted,  the  Colonel  looked  so  militaire ; 
He  patted  her  neck  as  he  stood  by  her  side, 
To  calm  her  a  Avee  ere  he  got  up  to  ride. 
Then  sprang  to  the  saddle  'thout  further  delay, 
And  like  a  knight  errant  he  galloped  away. 
From  Swanzey,  New  Hampshire,  thro'  Fitzwilliam  sped, 
Swift  strode  the  red  mare  and  strong  was  her  tread, 
And  onward  and  onward  and  onward  she  prest, 
No  sign  that  she  was  weary  that  she  required  rest. 
Tho'  sweltering  the  heat,  and  oppressive  the  dust, 
She  turned  not ;  she  stopped  not  to  half  quench  her  thirst. 
And  ere  Sol  his  car  to  the  zenith  had  run. 
The  Colonel's  long  journey  was  more  than  half  done; 
When  looking  ahead,  lo !  the  Colonel  espied 
An  inn-stand,  inviting,  close  by  the  road  side; 
To  this  he  reined  up  for  a  little  respite, 
And  called  for  refreshments  as  would  a  bold  knight ; 
'Some  oats  for  my  mare,  and  a  drink  at  the  spring 
And  as  for  myself,  I'll  a  bumper  of  sling!' 
(For  all  liquored  up  in  those  days,  you  will  find, 
To  strengthen  their  courage  and  cheer  up  the  mind.) 
But  short  was  his  tarry,  and  proud  of  her  load. 
The  old  mare  was  prancing  along  the  high-road ; 
On !  on  through  old  Concord  she  gallantly  sped, 
And  onward  she  galloped  through  Lexington's  town, 
A  place  on  the  road  of  fame  and  renown, 
And  drew  up  at  Charlestown,  at  Bunker  Hill's  side. 
Before  it  was  sunset,  where  ended  his  ride. 
And  glad  was  the  Colonel  when  Joseph  he  found. 
His  limbs  and  his  wind  and  his  body  all  sound. 
And  early  next  morning  the  red  mare  was  seen 
Her  head  up,  her  tail  up,  just  leaving  the  green  ; 
Her  strength  like  an  engine  with  fleetness  combined; 
(The  Colonel  on  forward  and  Joe  on  behind) 
So  lightly  she  cantered  and  turned  up  the  road. 
Not  caring  a  'flp'  for  the  weight  of  the  load. 
She  started  for  home  with  the  Colo,  and  son. 
And  ere  it  was  sundown  her  day's  work  was  done. 


108  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

And  how  felt  the  mother  when  meeting  with  Joe, 
There's  none  but  a  mother  can  feel  or  can  know ; 
And  Avhat  think  ye,  reader,  liadn't  we  here 
As  goodlj'  a  rider  as  Paul  Revere?" 

In  the  fall  of  1775  a  plan  was  formed  to  capture  Quebec  b}'  march- 
ing a  force  through  the  wilderness  by  the  way  of  Kennebec  river. 
The  men  for  the  expedition  were  detached  from  the  army  at  Boston. 
Swanze}'  had  one  man  among  them — Amasa  Parker.  Of  tlieir  expedi- 
tion an  historian  wrote:  "No  pen  can  describe  tlie  horrors  of  their 
march.  Making  their  wa^'^  with  infinite  toil ;  carrying  their  boats,  bag- 
gage, and  ammunition  past  tlie  rapids  and  marshy  swamps  ;  exposed  to 
rain  and  storm  ;  crossing  swollen  streams  ;  barefooted  and  with  clothes 
torn  almost  to  nakedness;  cold,  wet,  weary  and  sick;  with  the  last 
ox  killed  ;  the  last  dog  eaten  ;  then  roots,  moose  skin,  moccasins 
devoured  in  tlie  extremit}'^  of  hunger,  finally  after  two  days  of  starva- 
tion, the  famished  troops  emerged  among  the  Canadian  settlers." 

The  enlistments  that  were  made  in  April  and  May  for  eight  months 
for  the  arm}'^  that  encircled  Boston  and  hemmed  in  the  British  forces 
in  that  place  expired  in  December  and  January.  To  keep  up  the 
strength  of  the  arm}'  new  enlistments  became  necessary'.  It  appears 
that  the  following  persons  re-enlisted  or  enlisted  for  duty  through  the 
winter  of  1775  and  1776  : — 
Joshua  Durant,  Charles  Howe,  by  hire, 

Daniel  Gunn,  Theodore  Howe,  by  hire, 

Thomas  Greene,  Uriah  Howe, 

Joseph  Greene,  Eli  Kimball, 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  Jonathan  Woodcock. 

Benjamin  Hewes,  jr., 
On  the  twentieth  day  of  January,  1776,  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives "voted  to  raise  one  regiment  of  soldiers  forthwith."  This  reg- 
iment consisting  of  eight  companies  was  raised,  placed  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Timothy  Bedel,  and  ordered  to  join  the  "Northern 
Continental  Army." 

The  following  persons  were  connected  with  this  regiment  from  this 
town  ;  and  received  from  it  a  bounty  for  ten  mouths'  service  "in  army 
at  Canada  1776." 
Isaac  Billings,  Michael  Heffron, 

Ebenezer  Hills,  Timothy  Harvey, 

Nathaniel  Hills,  jr.,  Samuel  Hills,  jr., 

Dennis  Heffron,  Andrew  Nicols, 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  109 

Simeon  Puffer,  James  Wheelock, 

Amos  Puffer,  Elkanab  Woodcock, 

John  Rugg,  Lieut.  Elisha  Whitcomb. 

Amos  Tubbs, 

In  May  a  portion  of  tbis  regiment  was  in  Canada  about  forty-five 
miles  soutbvvest  of  Montreal  at  a  place  called  tbe  "Cedars."  An  at- 
tack upon  it  being  tbreatened.  Colonel  Bedel  went  to  Montreal  for 
reinforcements,  leaving  tbe  fort  under  tbe  command  of  Major  Isaac 
Butterfield,  wbo  on  tbe  nineteentb  day  of  May  surrendered  bis  force 
to  tbe  Britisb  and  Indians.  ''Tbese  prisoners  were  transported  to  an 
island  in  a  lake  near  tbe  two  mountains  and  kept  tbere  nearly  naked 
witbout  sbelter  and  witb  scant  rations,  for  eigbt  days,  wben  tbey  were 
released  on  a  cartel  agreed  to  between  General  Arnold  and  Captain 
Forster." 

Tbe  treatment  tbe  soldiers  received  after  tbe  surrender  may  be  in- 
ferred from  tbe  following  petition  of  Timotby  Harvey,  one  of  tbe 
Swanzey  soldiers. 

"Wbereas  yourPetetioner  on  tbe  5tb  Day  of  Marcb  1776  Inlisted  in- 
to tbe  Continental  service  for  tbe  Expedition  to  Canada  Under  tbe 
Command  of  Capt.  Wait,  in  Col.  Bedel's  Regiment  and  Marcbed  to 
Canada  and  being  ordered  into  a  Company  Commanded  by  Capt.  Es- 
terbrooks  we  Marcb"^  to  tbe  Cedars  wbere  Your  Petetioner  Among 
tbe  rest  was  Deliv'd  up  to  tbe  Enemy  by  wbicb  means  your  Petetioner 
Suffered  Greatly  and  bad  the  following  Articles  taken  from  me  by 
tbe  Indians  viz.  a  Gun  &  Bayonet,  wbicb  tben  Cost  me  Tbree  pounds  ; 
also  a  Belt  and  Bullet  poucb  8^/  a  Cartridge  Box  5y6  one  Woolen  Sbirt 
12y  1  pr  sboes  8^6  1  pr  Leggins  5y  1  Good  Blanket  15^  a  Large 
Powder  born  2^6'^  1  Tomabawk  2y5  Said  Articles  Amounting  in  tbe 
Wbole  to  £5 — 18 — 11"^ — 0  and  I  would  bumbly  pray  your  bonours  to 
make  as  much  Allowance  to  your  Pettetioner  as  you  sball  tbink  Just 
also  that  tbe  Above  Articles  would  as  Money  now  is  Cost  more  tban 
Tbree  Times  tbe  Sum  as  Aforesaid — wbicb  if  your  Honours  please 
to  Grant  your  petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  sball  Ever  pray. 

Timothy  Harvey. 

Swanzey  Feb"--  5^^  1778." 

In  June,  1776,  the  Continental  Congress  made  a  requisition  for  a 
battalion  of  troops  from  tbis  State  to  be  sent  to  reinforce  the  army  in 
Canada.  A  regiment  was  raised  and  on  tbe  twentieth  of  June  Col. 
Isaac  Wyman  of  Keene  was  appointed  its  colonel  and  Dr.  Calvin 
Frink  of  tbis  town  surgeon.     Tbe  town  paid  a  bounty  in  1776  for  one 


110  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

month's  service  to  Ticonderoga  to  the  following  persons  who  were,  we 
infer,  in  Colonel  Wy man's  regiment. 

Capt.  Joseph  Whitcomb,  Joshua  Graves, 

Daniel  Bisiiop,  Elijah  Graves,  jr., 

Levi  Durant,  ElUanah  Lane,  jr., 

Thomas  Cresson,  jr.,  Samuel  Lane, 

Nathan  Cresson,  Joseph  Starke}', 

Nathaniel  Dickinson,  Roger  Thompson, 

John  Follett,  jr.,  Jonathan  Woodcock,  jr., 

Calvin  Frink,  John  Whitcomb. 

William  Grimes,  jr., 
In  July  another  regiment  was  raised  in  the  state  to  reinforce  the 
northern  army  and  Joshua  Wingate  of  Strathara  was  appointed  its 
colonel.  The  bounties  the  town  paid  its  soldiers  in  this  regiment  were 
for  services  at  Ticonderoga.  Some  of  them  were  paid  for  two  months 
and  a  half,  and  some  for  five  months.  The  following  are  the  names 
of  the  Swanze}'  men  in  the  regiment: 

Ensign  Moses  Belding,  W3'at  Gunn, 

Enoch  Cummings,  '         James  Heaton, 

William  Carpenter,  Nathan  Heaton, 

Joseph  Da}',  Simson  Hammond, 

Benjamin  Follett,  Josiah  Prime, 

Dan  Freeman,  Amasa  Parker, 

Abraham  Griffith,  Levi  Rngg. 

In  September  two  regiments  were  raised  in  New  Hampshire  to  re- 
inforce the  army  in  New  York,  and  to  be  in  the  service  until  the  first 
of  December.  Col.  Nahum  Baldwin  of  Amherst  was  appointed  col- 
onel of  one  of  the  regiments.  The  regiment  was  in  the  battle  at  White 
Plains,  Oct.  28,  1776.  One  of  the  companies  of  the  regiment  was  com- 
manded by  John  Houghton  of  Keene.  The  company  was  mustered  by 
Col.  Joseph  Hammond  of  Swanzey  Sept.  22,  1776,  and  contained  the 
following  Swanzey  men  : 

Wright  Brown,  Penticost  Stanle}', 

Amaziah  Curtis,  Samuel  Wright, 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  Benedict  Webster. 

Benjamin  Hammond, 

In  answer  to  a  requisition  from  General  Washington  the  legislature, 
on  the  fourth  day  of  December,  1776,  "voted  that  five  hundred  men  be 
drafted  from  the  several  Regiments  in  this  State  as  soon  as  possible, 
officered  and  sent  to  New  York."  On  the  day  following,  the  legisla- 
ture appointed  the  field  officers  as  given  below.     The  cause  of  this 


MILITARY    AFFAIRS.  Ill 

call  was,  that  the  terms  of  service  of  the  troops  in  garrison  at  Forts 
George  and  Ticonderoga  would  expire  on  the  last  day  of  December, 
and  if  tlieir  places  were  not  filled  those  posts  would  fall  into  the  hands 
of  General  Guy  Carlton.  Col.  David  Gilman  of  Pembroke  took  the 
command  of  the  regiment,  and  Capt.  Francis  Town  of  Rindge,  one  of 
the  companies.  Samnel  Wright  of  this  town  was  lieutenant  in  Captain 
Town's  company.  Samuel  Heaton  and  Benjamin  Hazen,  corporals, 
and  William  Carpenter,  Jolm  Whitcomb,  and  Levi  Durant  privates. 

Tliis  regiment  "participated  in  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton 
and  did  excellent  service  in  both." 

On  the  evening  of  the  2nd  day  of  May,  1777,  dispatches  were  received 
by  the  committee  of  safety  of  this  state,  informing  them  tliat  the  gar- 
rison at  Ticonderoga  was  in  danger  of  being  taken  by  the  enemy,  and 
urgino;  that  tlie  militia  be  sent  forward  at  once  to  reinforce  that  im- 
portant  post.  In  accordance  with  tliat  request  Colonel  Ashley  of 
Winchester  marched  witli  one  Inindred  and  nine  men.  He  had  been 
entreated  "by  all  tliat  was  sacred"  to  raise  as  man}'  of  the  militia  as 
possible  and  marcli'them  to  Ticonderoga.  Swanzey  men  belonged  to 
Colonel  Ashley's  regiment  but  we  have  found  no  rolls  that  show  how 
many  of  the  one  hundred  and  nine  men  went  from  this  town. 

Soon  after  the  men  returned  that  were  called  out  by  this  alarm, 
"despatclies  came,  stating  that  General  Burgoyne  was  within  a  few 
miles  of  Ticonderoga  with  a  large  force,  and  that  the  American  troops 
stationed  there  were  not  sufficient  to  hold  the  fortress.  The  alarm  was 
general,  as  it  was  expected  tliat  if  the  enemy  captured  Ticonderoga 
he  would  invade  the  western  part  of  this  state  and  the  New  Hamp- 
shire grants."  The  militia  was  called  to  march  at  once,  and  responded 
with  alacrity-,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  following  rolls.  Ticonderoga  was, 
however,  evacuated  before  they  had  time  to  get  there,  and  they  re- 
turned in  about  thirteen  days.  The  men  that  went  from  Swanzey 
were  : 

Lieut.  Col.  Joseph  Hammond, 

Lieut.  Elislia  Whitcomb,    J      On  Colonel 

Lieut.  Samuel  Wright,       )    Ashle3''s  staff. 
In  Captain  Howlet's  company  that  marched  from  Keene  : 

Lieut.  Daniel  Warner,  Fifer  Benjamin  Hazen, 


Ensign  James  Heaton,  David  Belding, 

Sergeant  William  Grimes,  Timothy  Bishop, 

"         Joseph  Dickinson,  Solomon  Boynton, 

Corporal  Daniel  Bishop,  Eleazer  Brown, 

"         Joseph  Day,  Thomas  Cresson, 


112  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Enoch  Cnmmings,  Edward  Hazen, 

Epliraiin  Cuniniings,  Benjamin  Hewes, 

Josei)h  Cinnmings,  Andrew  Nichols, 

Neheniiah  Cumniings,  Benjamin  Olcott, 

Amos  Da}',  Elijah  Osgood, 

Levi  Dnrant,  Ebenezer  Parsons, 

Nehemiah  Foster,  Amos  Puffer, 

Joshua  Graves,  Cornelius  Rol)erts, 

Charles  Grimes,  El)enezer  Thompson, 

James  Grimes,  Ananias  Tiibbs, 

Daniel  Gunn,  John  Whitcomb, 

Isaac  Hammond,  William  Wright, 

Uriah  How,  Moses  B.  Williams. 

In  July  of  1777  a  great  excitement  was  caused  in  New  Hampshire 
from  information  that  Ticonderoga  had  been  evacuated  and  that  Gen. 
Burg03'ne,  with  an  army  was  rapidl}'  marching  from  Canada.  The 
legislature  was  hastily  called  together  and  it  decided  to  raise  a  brig- 
ade in  the  west  part  of  the  state,  and  place  it  under  command  of  Gen. 
Stark,  and  have  it  forwarded  immediately  to  Vermont  to  help  check 
the  movement  of  Burgoyne.  A  draft  was  relied  upon  for  obtaining 
the  men  for  the  service,  but  volunteering  was  so  prompt  that  a  draft 
was  unnecessary. 

Stark's  brigade  met  a  portion  of  Burgoyne's  army  at  Bennington 
and  fought,  in  connection  with  some  Vermont  troops  and  a  few  from 
Massachusetts,  the  memorable  battle  of  Bennington. 

Capt.  Samuel  Wright  of  Swanzey  marched  from  Winchester  and 
joined  Stark's  command  with  a  company  which  contained  the  follow- 
ing Swanzey  men  : 
Ensign  James  Heaton,  Corporal  Joseph  Holmes, 

Sergeant  John  Whitcomb,  Fifer  Benjamin  Hazen. 

Privates : 
John  Applin,  Andrew  Nichols, 

Daniel  Bishop,  Benjamin  Olcott, 

William  Carpenter,  Peletiah  llazey, 

Ephraim  Cu minings,  Peter  Starke}', 

Benjamin  Follett,  Samuel  Scott, 

Joseph  Green,  Simeon  Taylor, 

Uriah  How,  Ananias  Tubbs. 

Jonathan  Nichols, 
The  town  paid  Josiah  Read  a  bounty  for  two  months  at  Benning- 
ton.    His  name  is  not  found  on  the  rolls. 


J 


I 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  113 

In  a  letter  from  Joel  Ware,  whose  boyhood  was  spent  in  Swanzey, 
but  who  now  resides  in  Illinois,  he  says,  "I  recall  to  mind  two  inci- 
dents related  by  Grandma'am  Gay,  as  she  was  called,  whose  death  at 
over  ninety  years  of  age,  occurred  at  your  father's.  She  told  us  that 
she  had  visitors  at  her  house  (E.  W.  Handy's  place)  on  the  day  the 
battle  of  Bennington  was  fought,  and  that  they  heard  distinctly  the 
booming  of  the  British  cannon,  and  the  rattle  of  Stark's  musketry. 
She  also  told  me  that  during  the  Colonial  war  of  1755,  she  staid  a 
long  time  in  the  fort  near  the  foot  of  Mt.  Caesar ;  that  Indians  would 
come  down  from  the  top  of  the  mountain  as  near  the  foot  as  they 
dared,  and  execute  their  war  and  scalp  dances  ;  and  to  show  their  con- 
tempt for  the  people  in  the  fort  would  exliibit  themselves  in  an  insult- 
ing and  shameful  manner."  Tradition  informs  us  that  other  parties  in 
Swanzey  than  tlmt  named  above  testified  to  hearing  the  war  of  artillery 
from  the  battlefield  of  Bennington. 

Enlistments  to  the  old  or  regular  New  Hampshire  regiments  com- 
menced to  be  made  as  early  as  1777. 

The  following  persons  enlisted  in  Capt.  Grigg's  company  of  Col. 
Alexander  Scammel's  reariment : 

Kimber  Harvey,  Sergt.  Levi  Durant, 

Samuel  Gunn,  Nathaniel  Hills, 

Benjamin  Parker,  Elijah  Graves, 

Henry  Stevens,  —Josiah  Prime, 

Daniel  Day,  Simeon  Howe, 

Nathan  Cresson,  Benjamin  Day. 
Samuel  Lane, 

COL.  Hammond's  return. 

"Swanzey,  February  17, 1778. 
To  Mesheck  Weare : 

These  are  to  certify  that  the  following  Men  belonging  to  or  pro- 
cured by  the  town  of  Swanzey  have  Inlisted  into  the  continental  Army. 

Joseph  Slack  in  Col.  Hale's  Regiment. 

Gilbert  Castle  in  Col.  Selley's  Regiment. 

ing,       »    ^^1^  Scammel's  Regiment. 
Kimber  Harvey,    J 

Jeremiah  Setchel,   )    t    ^.i     t>       •       o      •      r     *i 

T^     .    ^,  ^  ^    In  the  Ranging  Service  for  three  years. 

Davis  Hefferen,       j  °    °  '' 

Benjamin  Parker,  kill*'  in  the  Battle  at  Still  Water. 

Daniel  Day,  Inlisted  for  eight  Months  and  is  missing. 

8 


>    Lately  Inlisted  and  Mustered. 


114  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Silvanus  Hastings,  ~ 
Joseph  Tucker, 
Jedediali  Rice, 
Silas  Syraons, 
Joel  Andrews, 
John  Cross, 
Eleazei-  Howard, 
Levi  Symons, 
Jonathan  Woodcock,  Inlisted  for  two  years. 
Joseph  Hammond,  Lieut.  Col." 

July  12,  1779,  the  town  paid  60£  to  each  of  the  following  soldiers  : 
Solomon  Hasseltine,  Noah  Parkliurst,  Greenwood  Carpenter,  jr., 
and  Andrew  Nichols;  and  40£  10s,  each  to  John  Whitcomb  and 
Eliphalet  Hale. 

"This  may  certify  that  the  town  of  Swanzey  have  six  men  in  the 
Continental  arm}'  who  have  enlisted  during  the  war,  viz. : 
Amasa  Parker,  William  Franklin, 

Joseph  Slack,  Dennis  Hoffron, 

Solomon  Hasseltine,  Jeremiah  Satchwell. 

Tlie  town  has  also  procured  this  Spring  to  enlist  for  three  3'ears,  viz. : 
Samuel  Kempton,  Greenwood  Carpenter,  jr. 

Thomas  Applin,   -\    Selectmen 
Calvin  Frink,       V  of 

Isaac  Hammond,  J    Swanzey. 
Sivanzey,  Jan.  12,  1781." 

In  the  early  part  of  1781,  New  Hampshire  was  required  to  raise 
forthwith  1354  able-bodied,  effective  men  to  fill  its  quota  for  the  Con- 
tinental army.  Of  these  Swanzey  was  required  to  furnish  eleven. 
For  this  purpose  a  town  meeting  was  held  Feb.  8,  at  which  time  a 
committee  to  raise  the  men  was  chosen,  consisting  of  Capt.  Samuel 
Hills,  Lt.  Samuel  AVright,  Ens.  Eben  Hills,  Mr.  Samuel  Heaton  and 
Capt.  Jonathan  Whitcomb.  The  meeting  was  adjourned  for  one  week, 
when  the  committee  reported  as  follows  : 

"That  they  have  agreed  with  Greenwood  Carpenter,  jr.,  to  serve 
three  j'ears  for  the  sura  of  sixty-six  pounds  ten  shillings,  to  be  paid 
in  the  following  manner,  viz.  :  six  pounds  ten  shillings  at  or  l)efore 
his  passing  muster,  in  money  and  clothing,  as  the  said  Greenwood  shall 
need  ;  and  sixt}'  pounds  at  the  three  years  end,  being  twenty  pounds 
per  year  ;  and  at  the  end  of  each  year  his  year's  hire  is  to  be  on  inter- 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  115 

est  until  paid  ;  and  if  the  said  Greenwood  slioiild  be  discharged  before 
the  three  j^ears  end  he  is  to  receive  his  hire  in  proportion  to  the  time 
of  service.  Said  committee  have  hired  Oliver  Prime  for  three  years 
on  the  same  conditions  as  above,  only  the  said  Oliver  is  to  receive  but 
four  pounds  at  his  passing  muster.  They  have  also  hired  Francis 
Nichols  for  three  3'ears  for  sixty-six  pounds  ten  shillings,  to  be  paid 
as  follows,  viz.  :  six  pounds  ten  shillings  at  liis  passing  muster  in 
mone}'  and  clothes,  and  twenty  pounds  j'early  for  three  years  by  the 
first  of  November  each  year  during  service.  They  liave  also  hired 
Samuel  Kempton  for  three  years  for  sixty-six  pounds  ten  shillings,  to 
be  paid  in  the  following  manner,  viz. :  six  pounds  ten  shillings  at  his 
passing  nnister  and  the  other  sixty  pounds  to  be  paid  to  his  wife  from 
time  to  time  if  required,  and  if  any  remains  due  at  his  return,  whether 
at  or  before  the  three  years  end,  he  is  to  receive  the  same  according 
to  the  time  of  service." 

It  was  voted  to  accept  the  above  report  of  the  committee,  and  the 
meeting  adjourned  from  time  to  time  until  March  14th,  when  the  fol- 
lowing business  was  acted  upon  : — 

"  Whereas  in  a  former  vote  of  this  meeting  it  is  not  expressly  de- 
clared what  money  or  how  stated,  the  several  sums  therein  mentioned' 
which  the  committee  agreed  to  pa}'  the  soldiers  for  the  Continental 
army,  therefore : 

"  Voted,  That  the  sums  therein  mentioned  shall  be  equal  in  value  to 
rye  at  three  shillings  and  four  pence  per  bushel  or  grass- fed  beef  at 
twenty  shillings  per  hundred  weight." 

A  town  meeting  was  held  July  6,  1781,  and  it  was 
"  Voted,  That  Roger  Thompson,  Aaron  Hammond  and  John  Whit- 
comb  be  a  coramitee  to  hire  the  remaining  part  of  the  men  for  the  Con- 
tinental army  in  behalf  of  the  town,  on  the  best  terms  they  can  and 
make  report  to  the  selectmen  of  their- proceedings  therein." 

A  town  meeting  was  held  April  16,  1782,  at  which  time  Ebenezer 
Hills,  Elkanah  Lane,  jr.,  Joseph  Cummings  and  Elijah  Belding  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  hire  the  town's  quota  of  men  for  the  Continen- 
tal army,  and  make  reports  of  their  proceedings.  The  meeting  was 
adjourned  to  the  SOtli  instant.  The  committee  reported  that  they  had 
endeavored  to  hire  the  men  for  the  Continental  army,  but  had  not 
procured  an}'. 

The  meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  7th  day  of  May,  at  which  time 
Luther  Fairbanks  was  joined  to  the  committee.  Again  adjourned  to 
the  13lh  and  from  the  13th  to  the  14th. 

At  this  date  the  committee  reported  "  that  they  had  engaged  Eph- 


116  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

ratm  Stone  of  Westmoreland  for  three  j'ears  for  the  sum  of  fifty-seven 
pounds,  ten  shillings;  twelve  pounds  ten  shillings  of  which  sum  to  be 
paid  at  or  before  his  passing  muster,  in  money  or  cattle,  and  fiflccn 
pounds  the  first  of  November  next :  and  so  annually  fifteen  pounds  till 
the  whole  be  paid.  They  have  also  hired  Isaac  Butterfield,  jr.,  of 
said  Westmoreland  for  the  same  terms. 

"  Voted,  That  the  above  report  be  accepted." 

It  appears  to  have  been  very  difficult  near  the  close  of  the  war  to 
find  men  that  woidd  enlist  into  the  army.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed 
that  the  men  of  Swanzey  were  wanting  in  patriotism,  or  confidence  in 
the  ultimate  success  of  the  Revolution.  Experience  had  demonstrated 
the  propriety  of  enlisting  soldiers  for  three  years  or  during  the  war. 
The  theatre  of  the  war  during  the  last  years  was  hundreds  of  miles 
distant  from  New  Hampshire.  Most  of  the  persons  adapted  for  sol- 
diers were  j^oung  men  with  families,  settled  upon  new  land  which  they 
were  clearing  up  for  making  their  future  homes.  For  such  men  to 
leave  their  families  and  their  homes  for  the  army  was  a  sacrifice 
greater  than  most  of  them  were  disposed  to  make. 

Of  all  the  Swanzey  men  who  took  an  aative  part  in  the  Revolution- 
ary cause,  Lieut.  Col.  Joseph  Hammond  may  be  properly  considered 
as  having  held  the  most  prominent  rank.  Besides  being  in  the  act- 
ual service  some  of  the  time  he  was  emplo3'ed  at  other  times  as  mus- 
tering officer,  and  at  times  in  charge  of  the  transportation  of  supplies 
to  the  army  at  Ticonderoga.  From  the  following  record  it  appears 
that  he  retired  from  active  military  service  in  1779. 

"  Swanzey  June  14^^  1779. 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  for 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire. 

Gentlemen 

I  Beg  leave  to  inform  j'ou  that  it  is  my  Ernest  desire  to  Resign 
the  Trust  Reposed  in  me  as  a  Lieut.  Colonel  of  the  Sixth  Regiment 
of  militia  in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  and  I  do  now  by  these 
Presents  make  a  full  Resignation  of  the  Said  Trust  and  office  of  Lieut. 
Colonel,  and  praj-  that  the  Same  may  be  Ratified  by  the  Honorable 
'General  Court. 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  your  Most  Obedient  Humble  Servant, 

Joseph  Hammond  Lieut.  Col. 

To  the  Hon.  Meshech  Weare  Esq'',  to  be  communicated  to  the  Hon. 
'Gen  :  Assembly 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  117 

State  of  Nev;  Hamp"^  In  the  House  of  Representatives  June  18*^^ : 
1779.— 

"  Voted,  That  the  resignation  of  Lieut.  Col'  Joseph  Hammond  as 
Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  sixth  Regiment  of  Militia  in  this  State  be 
and  hereby  is  accepted,  &  that  he  receive  the  thanks  of  this  house  for 
his  good  services  in  that  Station. 
Sent  up  for  Concurrence 

John  Dudley — Speaker  pro  tera^ 

In  Council  June  19*^^  1779  read  and  Concurred 

E.  Thompson  Sec''>" 

During  the  last  years  of  the  war  the  town  was  called  upon  to  fur- 
nish a  certain  quantity  of  beef  for  the  Continental  army. 

July  26,  1780,  the  town  "  Voted,  That  any  person  that  shall  sell  any 
cattle  for  the  use  of  the  Continental  army  shall  be  paid  by  the  town 
interest  for  the  money  at  six  per  cent  untill  the  principal  shall  be 
paid." 

May  2, 1781,  '■'■Voted,  Tliat  the  selectmen  shall  divide  the  town  into 
several  districts,  and  each  district  shall  provide  their  quota  or  pro- 
portion of  beef  for  the  Continental  army  according  to  the  taxes  each 
district  pays,  and  if  they  shall  neglect  to  procure  said  beef  seasonably 
the  selectmen  shall  provide  said  beef  in  the  best  manner  they  can  and 
assess  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  for  so  much  money  as  the  whole  of 
said  beef  sliall  cost,  and  give  credit  to  such  persons  as  have  provided 
their  proportion  of  said  beef." 

Ttie  following  is  a  copy  of  a  bill  for  pasturing  beef  cattle  : 

"SwANZEY  Dec  20  1789 

Capt  John  Jannison  Collector  of  Beef  D'",  to  the  Selectmen  of 
Swanzey  for  Pasturing  Beef  Cattle  as  foUoweth  (viz.) 

For  pasturing  thirty  one  Head  of  Beef  Cattle  from  the 
16"'  Day  of  July  till  the  7*^  of  September  being  Seven 
Weeks  and  four  Days  at  nine  pence  pr  Head  pr  week  £  8-16-4 

For  pasturing  Nine  head  2  weeks  and  four  Days  (viz.) 
from  the  Seventh  of  Sept^'  till  the  25  D'^  0-16-6 

For  Pasturing  Thirty  two  Head  from  the  25  of  Sept"^ 
till  the  11'''  of  Oct''  being  two  weeks  and  two  Days  0-14-9 

For  Pasturing  tw^enty  two  Head  of  Beef  Cattle  from 
11"'  of  Oct'"  till  the  first  Day  of  Novem^'  being  three 
weeks—  2-  9-6 


118  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

For   keeping  one  Beef  Cretuve  from  the   first  Day  of 
Nov""  till  the  16"'  of  December  being  Six  weeks  at  9''  pr        0-  4-6 
week  

Joseph  Dickinson 
David    Bi:lding  Jun*"- 
Calvin  Frink 

The  following  records  show  that  at  the  end  of  three  years  of  the 
Revolution  nearly  every  man  had  voluntarily  shouUlered  tlie  musket 
to  maintain  the  rights  of  the  states,  or  had  paid  out  mone}^  to  hire  a 
substitute  or  furnished  monc}'  to  the  town  to  enable  it  to  hire  sol- 
diers. 

At  a  legal  town  meeting  held  the  16^'^  day  of  February,  1778,  it 
was  "voted  to  choose  a  committee  of  seven  men  to  receive  the  ac- 
counts of  such  persons  as  have  done  or  procured  any  service  to  be 
done  in  the  present  war,  and  to  consider  the  same  and  make  them 
such  allowance  therefor  as  the}'  shall  think  proper  and  just." 

T!ie  committee  chosen  consisted  of  Thomas  Api)lin,  Calvin  Frink, 
Jonathan  Whitcomb,  Daniel  Warner,  Samuel  Hills,  Joseph  Whit- 
comb  and  Henry  Morse. 

The  committee  made  the  following  report  at  an  adjourned  meet- 


ing 


"SwANZEY,  February  23,  1778. 

We,  the  subscribers,  being  a  committee  appointed  by  the  to\^n  to 
receive  the  accounts  of  such  persons  as  have  done,  or  procured  anj^ 
service  to  be  done  in  the  present  war,  and  to  consider  the  same  and 
make  them  such  allowance  therefor  as  we  shall  think  reasonable  and 
just  and  having  attended  to  the  business  whereunto  we  were  appointed, 
do  lind  and  report  to  the  town  as  follows,  viz. :  Tliat  we  think  it 
just  and  reasonable  that  there  be  allowed  and  paid  as  the  town  shall 
agree, — 

To  John  Applin  for  3  days  in  the  militia  and  2  months  to  ^  ^  , 
Bennington,  •  4-11-1 
David  Belding,  jr.,  for  a  term  in  the  militia  to  Otter  Creek,  0-17-6 
Samuel  Belding,  jr.,  for  service  in  the  expedition  to  Can- 
ada done  by  Annanias  Tubbs,  15-0-0 
Lieut.  Moses  Belding  for  13  months  service  in  the  army,  28-3-7 
Ensign  Timothy  IJishop  for  12  days  in  the  militia  to  Cam- 


MILITARY    AFFAIRS.  119 

bridge,  2^  months  service  at  Ticonderoga  by  hire,  1  month 

in  the  militia  to  Ticonderoga,  and  12  days  to  Otter  Creek,     10-4-2 

Daniel  Bishop  for  12  days  in  militia  to  Cambridge,  1 
month  to  Ticonderoga,  12  days  to  Otter  Creek  and  2  months 
service  to  Bennington,  9-2-6 

Elijah  Belding  for  12  daj's  in  the  militia  to  Cambridge, 
and  for  2i  months  by  his  brother,  6-13-4 

Eleazer  Brown  for  one  month  service  in  the  militia  to 
Ticonderoga  done  by  Levi  Diirant,  12  days  service  in  the 
militia  to  Cambridge  and  12. to  Otter  Creek,  4-15-4 

Wright  Brown  for  2^  months  service  at  York,  5-8-4 

Thomas  Cresson,  jr.,  for  a  term  in  the  militia  to  Cam- 
bridge, a  month  service  in  the  militia  to  Ticonderoga,  12 
daj's  to  Otter  Creek,  and  for  service  done  by  his  son,  15-12-6 

Nathan  Cresson  for  one  month  service  to  Ticonderoga, 
and  4  months  in  the  continental  service,  10-16-8 

Joseph  Cummings  for  9  days  in  the  militia  to  Cambridge, 
2i  months  done  b}^  Enoch  CuQimings,  and  a  term  in  militia 
to  Otter  Creek,  and  2  months  done  by  Simeon  Taylor,  11-18-9 

Thaddeus  Cummings  for  2i  months  b}^  Enoch  Cummings,       5-8-4 

Ephraim  Cummings  for  service  in  militia  5  days  and  for 
1  month  and  6  days  service  in  the  army,  1777,   ■  2-19-6 

Caleb  Cook  for  4  months  service  done  by  Benjamin  Parker,    8-13-4 

Greenwood  Carpenter  for  2j  months  service  done  by  his  son,      5-8-4 

William  Carpenter  for  2^  months  service  to  Ticonderoga, 
and  one  month  at  Cambridge,  7-11-8 

Enoch  Cummings  for  8^  months  service  at  Cambridge, 
1775,  also  12  days  in  the  militia  to  Otter  Creek,  1777,  19-5-10 

Nehemiah  Cummings  (same  as  above),  19-5-10 

Nathaniel  Dickinson  for  1  month  at  Ticonderoga  and  4 
months  in  the  arm}'  done  by  Henry  Stevens,  1777,  10-16-8 

Joseph  Dickinson  for  12  days  in  the  militia  to  Cambridge, 
4  montlis  in  the  arm}'  by  Henry  Stevens,  and  for  12  days  to 
Otter  Creek,  11-5-10 

Benjamin  Day  for  25  daj's  in  militia  at  Stillwater  1777, 
and  4  months  service  before  he  came  to  Swanzey,  16-19-10 

Joseph  Day,  5  months  at  Ticonderoga  and  12  days  in 
militia  to  Otter  Creek,  11-14-2 

Amos  Day,  10  months  service  at  Cambridge,  21-13-4 

Joshua  Durant,  12  months  in  the  army,  26-0-0 


120  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Levi  Durant,  8  months  at  Cambridge,  1775,  and  12  daj's 
in  militia  at  Otter  Creek,  18-4-2 

John  Follet,  jr.,  12  days  at  Cambridge  and  one  month  at 
Ticonderoga,  3-18-4 

Calvin  Frink,  4  months  at  Cambridge  1775,  and  1  montli 
at  Ticonderoga,  1776,  10-16-8 

Josluia  Graves,  5  months  at  Ticonderoga  1)}'  liire,  1  montli 
in  militia  at  Ticonderoga  and  5  days  in  militia,  1777,  13-7-4 

Elijah  Graves,  jr.,  3  days  in  militia,  1775,  10  months  in 
Canada  by  Isaac  Billings,  1  month  at  Ticonderoga  and  25 
days  at  Stillwater,  1777,  26-0-11 

Daniel  Gunn,  12  months  in  the  army,  26-0-0 

"Wyat  Gunn  for  12  days  to  Cambridge,  and  2^  months  to 
Ticonderoga,  7-3-4 

Tiiomas  Greene  1  year  and  eight  months  in  army,  43-6-8 

Joseph  Greene,  1  year  and  8  months  in  army,  43-6-8 

Abraham  Griffiths,  8  months  in  the  army  at  Cambridge, 

1775,  17-6-8 
Abner  Graves,  1  month  at  Ticonderoga,  2-3-4 
Charles  Grimes  12  days  at  Cambridge,  9  months  in  Conti- 
nental army  by  hire  and  12  days  at  Otter  Creek,  1777,               22-3-1 

Col.  Joseph  Hammond,  9  days  at  Cambridge,  5  months  in 
the  army  b}'  hire,  and  12  days  at  Otter  Creek,  1777,  13-0-5 

Thomas  Hammond,  2^  months  by  Joseph  Hammond,  jr., 
and  2  months  b}^  Daniel  Day,  9-15-0 

Isaac  Hammond  in  militia  to  Cambridge,  and  2  months 
in  army  by  Daniel  Da^',  and  going  to  Otter  Creek,  6-19-2 

Edward  Ilazen,  12  days  to  Cambridge,  12  days  to  Otter 
Creek  and  two  months  by  his  son,  6-19-2 

Samuel  Hills,  12  days  to  Cambridge,   12  days  to  Otter 
Creek  by  hire,  50  da3-s  in  militia  to  the  westward,  1777,  and 
for  money  paid  in  behalf  of  the  town  to  hire  men  for  Conti- 
nental arm}',  12-11-2 
Ebenezer  Hills,  10  months  to  Canada,                                     21-13-4 
Nathaniel  Hills,  for  84-  months  in  the  arm}'  at  Cambridge,  18-10-4 
Nathaniel  Hills,  jr.,  for  10  months  in  the  army  at  Canada,  21-13-4 
Josei)h  Holms,  2  months  in  the  aimy  at  Bennington,  4-6-8 
Dennis   Hefferon,  10    mouths    in   the    army   at    Canada, 

1776,  21-13-4 
Michael  Hefferon,  10  months  in  the  arm}'  at  Canada,           21-13-4 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  121 

Benjamin  Hewes,  6  months  in  the  army  at  Cambridge, 

1775,  13-0-0 
Benjamin  Hewes,  jr.,  6  months  service  in  the  armj',  1776,  13-0-0 
Benjamin  Hammond,  for  2^  months  at  York,  1776,  5-8-4 
Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  8^  montlis  at  Cambridge,  1775,  and 

for  1  month  more  at  Cambridge,  21-1-8 

Charles  Howe,  4  montlis  at  Cambridge,  1776,  by  hire,  8-13-4 

Theodore  Howe,  6  weeks  at  Winters  Hill,   1776,  and  4 

months  at  Cambridge,  1776,  by  hire,  11-18-4 

Uriah  Howe,  15  days  in  militia  to  Cambridge,  1775,  6 

weeks  at  Winters  Hill,  1776,  5  days  in  1777,  and  2  months 

in  the  army  to  Bennington,  1777,  10-2-4 

Jethro  Kimball,  12  daj's  in  militia  at  Cambridge,  1775,  and 

5  months  in  the  army  to  Ticonderoga,  1776,  by  hire,  12-11-8 

Eli  Kimball,  to  Cambridge  in  militia  and  1  year  in  the 

Continental  army,  1776,  27-15-0 

Elkanah  Lane,  jr.,  4  months  in  army  by  his  brother,  and 

in  the  militia  to  Ticonderoga,  1776,  10-16-8 

Justus  Lawrence,  for  2|  months  in  the  army,  1777,  5-15-0 

Lieut.  Henr}-  Morse,  2^  months  in  army  at  Ticonderoga, 

1776,  and  for  money  paid  town  to  procure  men  for  the  army,  12-4-1 
Jonathan  Nichols,  jr.,  1  month  at  Cambridge,  1775,  and 

2  months  at  Bennington,  1777,  6-10-0 

Elijah  Osgood,  in  the  militia  to  Otter  Creek  and  hiring 
Jonathan  Woodcock  6  months  for  the  Continental  arm}',         15-17-6 

lienjarain  Olcott,  5  days  service  in  the  militia,  1777,  and 
2  montlis  at  Bennington,  4-14-0 

Benjamin  Hazen,  2^  months  to  York  and  12  days  to  Otter 
Creek,  6-5-10 

Aaron  Parsons,  6  days  in  militia,-  1775,  2J-  months  in 
the  army  at  Ticonderoga,  1776,  and  for  12  days  at  Otter 
Creek,  1777,  by  hire,  7-3-4 

Samuel  Page,  9  days  at  Cambridge,  1775,  1-6-3 

Josiah  Prime,  6  months  at  Roxbur}',  1775,  13-0-0 

Amasa  Parker,  12  months  in  the  army  that  went  to  Can- 
ada with  Gen.  Arnold,  26-0-0 

Simeon  Puffer,  12  days  at  Cambridge,  1775,  and  5  months 
in  the  army  that  went  to  Canada,  1776,  12-11-8 

Amos  Puffer,  10  months  in  army  to  Canada,  1776,  and 
12  days  to  Otter  Creek,  1777,  22-10-10 


122  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Josiali  Read,  2  months  at  Bennington,  1777,  4-6-8 

Levi  Riigg,  12  days  to  Cambridge,  1775,  and  5  months 
at  Ticonderoga,  1776,  12-11-8 

John  Riigg's  heirs,  10  months  in  army  to  Canada,  1776. 
by  said  Rugg,  and  12  days  in  militia  at  Cambridge,  23-8-4 

Pentecost  Stanley,  12  days  at  Cambridge,  1775,  and  2j 
months  in  army  at  York,  1776,  7-3-4 

Elislia  Scott,  4  montlis  by  Nathan  Cresson,  1777,  8-13-4 

Nathan  Scott,  5  days  in  1777,  and  25  days  at  tlie  west- 
ward, 1777,  2-3-10 

Benjamin  Starkey,  one  year  by  himself  and  others,  26-0-0 

John  Starkey,  2^  months  at  York  by  Benedict  Webber. 
1776,  "  5-8-4 

Enoch  Starkey,  for  money  paid  to  hire  men  for  the  Conti- 
nental arm}^,  7_10-0 

Joseph  Starkey,  8^  months  at  Cambridge,  1775,  and  1 
month  at  Ticonderoga,  1776,  20-5-8 

John  Thompson,  2  months  at  Bennington  by  hire,  4-6-8 

Roger  Thompson,  2^  raontlis  at  Ticonderoga,  1776,  by 
Josiah  Prime,  and  1  month  at  Ticonderoga,  1776,  7-11-8 

Samuel  Tliompson,  12  days  to  Otter  Creek  by  hire  and 
25  days  at  the  westward,  1777,  by  hire,  2-13-6 

Ebenezer  Thompson,  12  days  at  Otter  Creek,  1777,  and 
hiring  Jonathan  Woodcock  6  months  for  Continental  army,   15-17-6 

Ananias  Tubs,  in  the  ami}'  at  Canada,  1776,  12  days  at 
Otter  Creek,  1777,  and  2  months  at  Bennington,  1777,  11-17-2 

Philemon  Whitcomb^  4  months  in  1777,  by  Benjamin 
Parker,  8-13-4 

Lieut.  Daniel  Warner,  10  da3's  at  Cambridge,  1775,  12 
days  to  Otter  Creek,  1777,  and  9  months  in  Continental  ser- 
vice by  hire,  22-2-9 

Capt.  Joseph  Whitcomb,  1  month  to  Ticonderoga,  1776, 
and  1  month  in  army  to  the  westward,  1777,  4-6-8 

Capt.  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  8^  montlis  in  Continental  ami}- 
at  Caml)ridge,  1775,  1S_8_4 

Maj.  Elisha  Whitcomb,  11  months  and  8  days  at  Canada, 
1776,  12  days  at  Cambridge,  1775,  and  12  days  at  Otter 
Creek,  1777,  26-9-2 

Al)ijah  Whitcomb,  84-  months  at  Cambridge,  1775,  18-8-4 

William  Wright,  2^  months  in  army,  1776,  by  Wj'at 
Gunn  and  15  days  in  militia,  1777,  5-15-8 


MILITARY    AFFAIRS.  123 

Lieut.  Samuel  Wright,   12  days  at  Cambridge,  1775,   2^ 

months  at  York,  and  2^  months  at  Peekskill,  1776,  12-11-8 

Cornelius  Roberts,  1  year  in  Continental  army,  1776,  and 

12  days  to  Otter  Creek,  1777,  26-17  6 

Jonathan  ^Yoodcock,  jr.,  one  month  in  militia  to  Ticonder- 

oga, 1776,  2-3-4 

Nathan  Woodcock,  2  months  in  1777,  by  Daniel  Day,  4-6-8 

John  Wliitcomb,  12  days  to  Cambridge,  1775,  5  months 

at  Ticonderoga,   1776,  by  hire,  1    month  at  Ticonderoga, 

1776,   by  himself,  12  days    to   Otter  Creek,   1777,   and  2 

months  in  army  at  the  westward,  1777,  19-19-2 

James  Wheelock,  10  months  in  army  to  Canada,  1776,  21-13-4 
Moses  Boardman  Williams,  12  days  to  Otter  Creek  in  1777, 

and  2  months  at  the  westward,  1777,  5-4-2 

James  Heaton,  10  months  service  in  army  before  he  came 

to  Swanze\',  and  12  days  in  militia  to  Otter  Creek,  1777,     22-10-10 
Benjamin  Follet,  1  month  in  army  at  Cambridge,  1775, 

and  2  months  in  army  at  the  westward,  1777,  6-10-0 

John  Pierce,  1  month  at  York,  1776,  by  hire,  and  6  weeks 

at  York,  by  hire,  5-4-0 

Samuel  Heaton,  2^  months  in  the  army  at  Peekskill,  1776,  5-8-4 
Samuel  Hills,  jr.,  10  months  in  army  to  Canada,  1776,  21-13-4 
Elkanah  Lane,  senior,  15  days  at  Cambridge,  1775,  and  5 

da3's  in  militia  at  another  time,  1-9-3 

Samuel  Lane,  1  month  in   militia  at  Ticonderoga,  1776, 

and  4  months  in  Continental  army,  1777,  10-16-8 

Jonathan  Day,  2|  months  in  army  1777,  by  hire,  5-8-4 

Daniel  Day,  12  da3's  at  Cambridge,  1775,  1-15-0 

Nathanel  Foster,  12  da^'s  in  militia  to  Cambridge,  1775, 

2§  months  in  arm}"^,  1777,  by  hire,  and  12  days  in  militia  to 

Otter  Creek,  1777,  8-10-0 

Stoddard  Frary,  2  months  in  army  by  hire,  1777,  4-6-8 

Moses  Griffith,  5  months  in  army  at  Ticonderoga,  1776,  10-16-8 
William  Grimes,  5  montlis  in  army  at  Ticonderoga,  1776, 

by  hire,  and  9  months  in  Continental  army,  by  hire,  30-6-8 

William  Grimes,  jr.,  12  daj'sat  Cambridge,  1775,  1  month 

to  Ticonderoga,  1776,  12  days  to  Otter  Creek,  1777,  and  9 

months  in  army,  by  hire,  24-5-10 

James  Grimes,  12  days  to  Cambridge,  1775,  and  12  days 

to  Otter  Creek,  1777,  2-12-6 

Andrew  Nichols,  10  months  in  army  to  Canada,  1776,         21-13-4 


124  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Jonathan  Hammond,  3  years  in  Continental  arm}',  by  hire,     78-0-0 
Timothy  Brown  Applin,  2  months  in  Continental  arm}', 
by  hire,  4-6-8 

Natlianiel  Heaton,  for  service  by  Daniel  Gunn,  10-10-11 

Ezekiel  White,  4  months  in  army,  by  hire,  8-13-4 

David  White,  2^  months  in  army,  5-8-4 

Kimber  Harvey,  service  in  army,  1777,  3-14-2 

Willard  Hunt,  8  months  in  army,  17-6-8 

Peletia  Razey,  6  weeks  service,  2-18-2 

Thomas  Applin,  for  money  paid  for  town  to  procure  men 
for  the  Continental  army,  6-15-9 

Thomas  Applin  (except  what  relates  to  minors). 

Calvin  Frink, 

Samuel  Hills, 

Daniel  Warner,      }■    Committee." 

Hknry  Mouse, 

Joseph  Whitcomb, 

Thomas  Applin.      3 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  inliabitants  of  Swanzey  held  by  adjournment 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  Wyat  Gunn  in  said  Swanzey  on  the  25Lh  day  of 
February  1778  voted  that  the  al)ove  account  be  accepted  only  allowing 
liberty  to  the  committee  to  rectify  mistakes  in  casting  and  making  up 
the  several  sums,  or  to  insert  such  service  as  has  been  overlooked  or 
omitted  observing  the  rules  agreed  to  and  voted  at  this  meeting. 

Attest,  Thomas  Applin,  Town  Clerk. 

Additions  made  to  the  above  account  since  the  above  said  meeting, 
viz. : 

Benjamin  Freeman,  4  months  service  by  his  son,  8-13-4 

John  Frazy,  5  months  and  12  days  by  his  son  Job,  11-14-2 

E[)hraim  Harvey,  for  service  by  Joseph  Green,  4-6-8 

Timothy  Harvey,  10  months  in  army  to  Canada,  21-13-4 

Calvin  Frink  for  his  service  as  a  committee  man  in  settling 
accounts,  1  -9-8 

And  to  Capt.  Joseph  Whitcomb,  Capt.  .Jonathan  Whit- 
comb, Lieut.  Daniel  Warner,  Lieut.  Henry  Morse,  Samuel  ^ 
Hills  and  Tliomas  Applin,  to  each  for  services  as  committee 
men  as  aforesaid,                                                                                 1-19-4 

Recorded  pr.  Tho*  Applin,  Clerk." 

Many  men  settled  in  Swanzey  during  the  Revolution  or  soon  after, 
who  had  previously  been  in  the  military  service,  but  we  have  not  their 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  125 

military  record.    In  most  instances  they  were  in  Massachusetts  at  the 
time  they  did  the  service.     The  following  are  names  of  such  men  : 
Lieut.  James  Brewer,  Amariali  Partridge, 

Capt.  Oliver  Capron,  Jonas  Blodgett, 

Capt.  Amasa  Aldrich,  —Ivory  Snow, 

Capt.  Peter  Holbrook,  Isaac  Woodward, 

Timothy  Read,  Aquilla  Ramsdell, 

Asaph  Lane,  Benjamin  Parker, 

Russel  Ballon,  Barzillai  Streeter. 

Joseph  Sinead, 
Swanzey  furnished  its  full  complement  of  soldiers  for  the  war  of 

1812.  Of  those  who  enlisted  William  Carr  Belding  was  killed  at 
Chippewa  Plains,  July  5,  1814;  Rufus  Graves  at  Bridgewater,  Cana- 
da, July  25,  1814;  a  son  of  John  Guild  in  Upper  Canada;  Joshua 
Prime,  a  Lieutenant  of  marines,  died   at  Sackott's  Harbor,  March  1, 

1813,  Gaius  Cresson  died  at  Burlington,  Vt. 

Tlie  following  men  were  in  the  army  and  most  of  them  belonged  to 
Swanzey  at  the  time.  Some  of  them  were  volunteers,  and  were  in  the 
army  on  the  northern  border;  but  most  of  them  were  drafted  men,  or 
substitutes  for  drafted  men,  and  went  to  Portsmouth  :  Elijah  C.  Beld- 
ing, Ezra  Emerson,  Charles  Howland,  Charles  Frost,  Lieut.  Abijah 
Whitcomb,  William  Moore,  William  Stevenson,  Richard  Weeks,  Eze- 
kiel  Graves,  Samuel  Stearns,  Jonathan  D.  Ware,  David  Thompson, 
Cyrene  Johnson,  Otis  Olcott,  Joseph  Snow,  David  Hill,  Reuben  Wor- 
cester, John  Withington,  Benedict  Arnold.  Arnold  died  at  Ports- 
mouth. 

Chester  Lyman,  who  lived  manj'  of  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Swan- 
zey, went  into  the  army  as  captain  of  a  company  of  volunteers  from 
Massachusetts.  His  company  was  attached  to  the  northern  army  and 
he  was  promoted  to  major. 

New  Hampshire  has  no  army  records  of  the  war  of  1812,  in  the  state, 
which  makes  it  impossible  to  give  exact  details. 

The  general  government  made  the  following  calls  for  troops  to  sup- 
press the  Rebellion  : 

Apr.  15,  1861,  75,000  for  three  months. 

May,  1861,  300,000  for  three  years. 

July,  1861,  300,000  for  three  years. 

May,  1862,  75,000  for  three  years. 

July  1,  1862,  300,000  for  three  years. 

Aug.  4,  1862,  300,000  for  nine  months,  to  be  drafted  if  not  furnished 
by  volunteering. 


12G  IIISTOIIY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Aug.,  1863,  300,000  ordered  to  be  drafted  from  towns  and  cities 
where  quotas  were  not  filled  by  volunteers. 

Oct.  17,  1863,  300,000  for  three  years. 

July  19,  1864,  500,000. 

Dec.  19,  1864,  300,000. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  the  action  of  the  town  during  the 
years  of  the  Rebellion  to  encourage  enlistments  and  induce  men  to 
enter  the  service  when  drafted  or  to  voluntarily  furnish  substitutes. 

Sept.  21,  1861.  "  Voted,  That  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to  bor- 
row from  time  to  time  such  sums  of  money  as  may  be  wanted  to  pay 
the  families  or  parents  of  soldiers  who  have  enlisted,  or  ma}'  hereafter 
enlist,  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  the  sum  of  one  dollar  per 
week  for  the  wife,  and  one  dollar  per  week  for  each  child  or  parent, 
agreeably  to  the  act  passed  at  the  June  session,  1861,  entitled  an  act 
authorizing  the  towns  and  cities  to  aid  the  families  of  volunteers,  and 
for  other  purposes ;  provided  all  such  sums  so  borrowed  shall  not  ex- 
ceed two  thousand  dollars." 

Aug.  11,  1862.  '■'•Besolved,  That  the  town  of  Swanzoy  will  pa}-  two 
hundred  dollars  to  each  person  who  will  enlist  from  the  town  to  fill  up 
her  required  quota  of  a  draft  ordered  b}^  the  President  Aug.  4,  1862, 
of  300,000  troops  for  nine  months,  immediately  on  the  mustering  into 
service  of  such  volunteers,  provided  they  receive  no  bounty  from  gov- 
ernment, otherwise  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars." 

Sept.  10,  1863.  ^'' Voted,  To  raise  money  to  pay  the  soldiers  that 
are  already  drafted  and  obliged  to  enter  the  service  of  the  United 
States  or  their  substitutes  under  the  present  call. 

Voted,  To  raise  $300.00  to  pay  to  each  of  the  soldiers  or  their  sub- 
stitutes ten  days  after  they  are  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States." 

Dec.  7,  1863,  ^^  Voted,  To  raise  four  hundred  dollars  to  paj'  to  each 
person  that  may  enlist  to  fill  the  quota  required  of  this  town,  in  the 
call  of  Octoljer  17,  1863,  by  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  Voted,  That  the  same  amount  (8400.00)  be  paid  to  each  person 
that  ma}'  be  required,  if  any,  and  does  enlist  to  fill  any  previous  calls. 

"  Voted,  To  choose  an  agent  to  procure  volunteers  to  fill  the  quota 
of  this  town.  Chose  Jonathan  G.  Huntley  as  agent  for  the  above  pur- 
pose, who  is  to  counsel  with  the  selectmen  and  act  agreeably  to  their 
requirements. 

"  Foted,  To  choose  one  person  as  enlisting  officer.  Chose  Josiah 
Parsons  as  an  enlisting  officer  for  the  town  of  Swanzey." 

Dec.  30,  1863.     "  Voted,  To  instruct  the  selectmen  to  furnish  sub- 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  127 

stitutes  or  volunteers  in  such  numbers  as  may  be  required  to  fill  the 
quota  of  said  town  under  the  call  of  the  President  of  Oct.  17,  1863, 
and  do  the  same  at  the  lowest  rate  possible. 

"  Voted,  That  the  selectmen  be  and  are  hereby  authorized  to  bor- 
row money  in  addition  to  the  four  hundred  dollars  already  raised  to 
pay  bounties  to  volunteers,  sufficient  to  carry  out  the  object  expressed 
in  the  above  vote. 

"  Voted,  To  assume  the  State  and  Government  bounties,  and  pay  the 
same  to  each  volunteer  as  soon  as  it  becomes  his  due  or  he  is  mustered 
into  the  service." 

May  30,  1864.  ^^Voted,  To  pay  drafted  men  or  their  substitutes 
$300.00  each,  to  fill  all  back  quotas  of  said  town  under  the  last  calls 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

^^  Voted,  To  instruct  the  selectmen  to  furnish  volunteers  to  take  the 
place  of  persons  that  would  otherwise  be  drafted  to  fill  the  present  call." 

June  16,  1864.  "  Voted,  That  the  selectmen  shall  pay  $300.00  each 
to  such  persons  as  may  enlist,  or  their  substitutes,  and  be  accounted 
to  the  town  of  Svvanzey  on  any  future  calls  for  three  years'  men. 

"  Voted,  To  pay  such  of  the  citizens  as  have  re-enlisted  as  veterans 
in  the  field  and  been  assigned  upon  the  muster  rolls  to  the  credit  of 
said  town.  $300.00  each. 

^^  Voted,  That  the  selectmen  be  and  are  hereby  authorized  to  enlist 
volunteers  for  the  service  of  the  United  States  at  such  sums  as  in  their 
judgment  may  be  deemed  proper  and  borrow  money  for  that  purpose." 

Aug.  13,  1864.  "  Voted,  That  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to  pay 
volunteers,  drafted  men  or  their  substitutes  $100.00  for  one  year, 
$200.00  for  two  years,  $300.00  for  three  years. 

"  Voted,  To  assume  the  State  bount}'  and  pay  the  same  to  volunteers, 
substitutes  or  drafted  men  upon  their  being  duly  mustered  into  the 
service  of  the  United  States." 

Aug.  29,  1864.  "  Voted,  That  the  selectmen  be  and  are  hereby  au- 
thorized to  pay  bounties  to  citizen  volunteers  who  have  resided  in 
the  town  three  months,  as  follows :  $500.00  for  one  year,  $750.00  for 
two  years  and  $900.00  for  three  years,  immediately  on  being  mustered 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States." 

Dec.  22,  1864.  "  Voted,  To  pay  bounties  to  citizen  volunteers  who 
have  resided  in  town  three  months  or  more  as  $500.00  for  one  j'ear, 
$750.00  for  two  years  and  $900.00  for  three  years." 

^'^  Voted,  To  pay  to  those  persons  who  have  or  may  furnish  an  ac- 
ceptable substitute  to  fill  the  quota  of  the  town  or  any  future  call 
the  sum  of  $100.00  for  one  year,  $200.00  for  two  years,  $300.00  for 
three  years." 


128 


HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 


The  following  persons  enlisted  and  were  credited  to  Swanze^'  pre- 
vious to  Jul}'  26,  1862.  The  pecuniary  consideration  for  inducing 
them  to  enlist  for  three  j'cars  was  thirteen  dollars  a  month  each,  and 
ten  dollars  bounty  when  mustered,  from  the  General  Government; 
and  those  dependent  upon  an  enlisted  soldier  received  from  the  town 
one  dollar  a  week  for  their  support,  while  he  remained  in  the  service. 


Charles  R.  Applin, 
Henry  S.  Applin, 
Philo  Applin, 
Warren  F.  Allen, 
Horace  Barney, 
Albert  A.  Ballon, 
Willard  Bragg, 
John  A.  Breed, 
Amasa  Bourn, 
Thomas  Burns, 
Thomas  Christie, 
Henry  Coburn, 
Prescott  D.  Coburn, 
Amos  D.  Combs, 
Joseph  Cross, 
Amos  E.  Cummings, 
James  L.  Davis, 
Lowell  W.  Darling, 
Aaron  Dickinson, 
T.  J.  Eaton, 
Anson  R.  Gilson, 
Allen  B.  Playwood, 
Bradley  Hill, 
Cyrus  F.  Holbrook, 
Daniel  H.  Holbrook, 
Jonathan  M.  Holden, 
Samuel  Hurd, 
G.  W.  Johnson, 
George  O.  Knapp, 


Geoige  Mattoon, 
Charles  H.  Mcintosh, 
William  B.  Marble, 
Oliver  L.  Nash, 
Still  man  D.  Nash, 
Jeremiah  Phimmer, 
Benjamin  Pomeroy, 
El  bridge  G.  Prentice, 
Charles  A.  Quinn, 
Carlos  Quinn, 
Samuel  S.  Quinn, 
Henry  P.  Read, 
Geerge  W.  Robinson, 
Samuel  Rockwood, 
Geoige  B.  Richardson, 
Charles  N.  Sebastian, 
Edwin  P.  Sebastian, 
Cyrus  W.  Stanley', 
Isaac  Star key, 
N.  R.  Smith, 
John  P.  Stone, 
Sidney  Stone, 
Aaron  Sumner, 
George  F.  Trowbridge, 
Oratus  J.  Verry, 
Cliarles  Wheeler, 
Gardner  Wheeler, 
George  Wilson, 
Elliot  Wright. 


The  amount  of  bounties  paid  b}'  Swanze}'^  after  Jul}^  26,  1862,  for 
soldiers  to  fill  its  quotas  amounted  to  fort3'-seven  thousand  dollars. 
The  state  and  general  government  paid  large  bounties  to  encourage 
enlistments.  These  bounties  were  increased  from  time  to  time  until, 
in  1864,  the  state  paid  8200  and  the  general  government  $100  for 
three  years'  men,  and  the  state  SlOO  to  those  who  enlisted  for  one 


i 


EMERY  W.  STRATTON. 


I 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS. 


129 


year.  The  men  that  enlisted  for  Swanzey  received  not  less  than 
$20,000  from  these  sources,  and  their  families  received  as  much  as 
$13,000  from  the  state.  All  these  amounts  were  not  included  in  their 
monthly  pay. 

In  the  fall  of  1862,  $200  in  bounties  were  paid  to  each  of  the  fol- 
lowing men  who  enlisted  for  three  years  : — 


Charles  H.  Barber, 
Charles  H.  Barber,  jr., 
John  Barber, 
Luther  Beal, 
Franklin  Burbank, 
George  I.  Capron, 
George  W.  B.  Coffee, 
Amos  D.  Combs, 
D.  L,  M.  Comings, 
Amos  Davis, 
Edward  Doolittle, 
Charles  G.  Gilmore, 
Charles  H.  Gove, 
Calvin  Greenleaf, 
D.  Brain ard  Heale}'', 
Daniel  K.  Healey, 
Charles  H.  Holbrook, 
Cyrus  F.  Holbrook, 
Henry  D.  Holl)rook, 
George  B.  Holbrook, 


Lyman  Holden, 
E^nlisted  for  nine  months  same  bounty 


B.  P.  Lamson, 
Charles  W.  Mattoon, 
Samuel  Mattoon, 
Charles  W.  Philbrick, 
Willis  Reason, 
Eli  W.  Reynolds, 
Wm.  Sebastian,  jr., 
Luther  Smith, 
Horace  B.  Starkey, 
Charles  E.  Stephenson, 
Seamon  A.  Stone, 
William  Stone, 
Willard  E.  Thatcher, 
John  S.  Tha3'er, 
Dexter  H.  Thomas, 
A.  W.  Tupper, 
Geo.  P.  Ward, 
Harrison  R.  Ward, 
Lincoln  Wheelock, 
Franklin  C.  Whitcomb, 
Carroll  D.  Wright. 


Roswell  Aldrich, 
San  ford  Bolles, 
David  Buffum,  2""^, 
David  W.  Hill, 
Sylvander  Hovey, 
Theodore  Hovey, 
Leonard  Lyman, 
Richard  R.  Ramsdell, 


Charles  W.  Scott, 
Samuel  Stephenson, 
Demerit  W.  Stone, 
Oratus  J.  Verry, 
Noyes  G.  Wheeler, 
San  ford  S.  Wilber, 
Daniel  ¥^.  Woodward, 
Thomas  N.  Woodward. 


Harvey  Sargent, 

The  first  draft  for  soldiers  was  in  Sept.,  1863.     The  men  drafted 
and  held   for   services  obtained   exemption  by  paying  $300.     There 
9 


130 


HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 


is  no  obtainable  record  by  which  it  can  certainly  be  known  who  Swan- 
zey's  men  were.     The  following  list  is  sni)pose(l  to  be  correct : 

Francis  A.  Belding,  George  H,  Moore, 

Francis  B.  Cass,  George  W.  Sweetser, 

Andrew  Hannah,  Geo.  H.  Taylor, 

William  8.  Leonard,  Henr^'^  \Yard. 

Town  bounties  to   drafted  men  who  obtained  sul)stitutes  in  18G3, 
$300: 


Albert  R.  Ballon, 
Silas  W.  Ballon, 
Moses  D.  Ballon, 
L3'man  C.  Deeth, 
Ansel  B.  Dickinson, 
AsahelW.  Diinton, 
George  A.  Haywood, 
Asa  C.  Hemingway, 
Henry  Hill, 
Oljed  Holton, 


George  Jackson, 
Aaron  Lebourveau, 
Benj.  F.  Mead, 
George  H.  Moore, 
"William  Oakinan, 
Timothy  Sherman, 
William  W.  Starke}', 
Menzies  E.  Stratton, 
John  W.  Taggard, 
Charles  Temple. 


Town  bounties  to  volunteers   under  the  call  of  Oct.  17,    1863,  for 
three  3''ears : 


George  C.  Perkins,  $610 

William  Read,  300 

Samuel  Rock  wood,  400 

John  Stewart,  610 

Thomas  Sinitli,  610 

Alonzo  D.  Sumner,  300 

Harvey  Thompson,  600 

Sexton  W.  Williams,  300 


Charles  R.  Applin,  $300 

Frank  Cannavan,  610 

John  A.  Colby,  300 

George  Davis,  610 

William  Eastman,  300 

Michael  Ferrel,  570 

Thomas  Harvey,  615 

John  L.  Meserve,  300 

John  Parker,  610 

Bounties  to  reenlisted  soldiers  Jan.,  1864,  S300  : 
Henr}'  S.  Applin,  Amos  E.  Cummings, 

John  A.  Breed,  Aaron  Dickinson, 

Joseph  Cross,  Eli)ri(lge  G.  Prentice. 

Bounties  for  three  j-ears'  enlistments  in  the  fall  of  1864. 
$900  ;  state,  $200  ;  general  government,  $100  =  $1200. 
Jotham  M.  Ballon,  Martin  Jewell, 

Lewis  Carpenter,  Charles  Marsh, 

John  P.  Hill,  Warren  A.  Pickering, 

Ira  A.  Hooper,  William  W.  Riple}-, 

John  F.  Hunt,  George  W.  Sweetzer. 


Town, 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  131 

Town   and   stfite  bounties  in  the  fall  of  1864,  for  one  3'ear's  men: 

town  $500,  state  Si 00.  The  town  advanced  the  state  bounty. 

Charles  B.  Blodgett,  Sylvander  Hovey, 

Nathaniel  Bourn,  jr.,  Lemuel  0.  Hunt, 

Benjamin  F.  Claris,  Fred  E.  Sebastian, 

Edward  Dickinson,  James  C.  Waters, 

Orrick  L.  Haskell,  J.  Q.  A.  Wilson, 

Clark  H.  Houghton,  Oratus  J.  Very. 

The  town  paid  for  thestate  and  town  in  the  winters  of  1864  and  1865  : 

George  Burns,  $575  Lewis  Hunt,  $500 

George  W.  Ellis,  500  Charles  S.  Parks,  600 

Henry  T.  Davis,  "  David  Pelkey,  500 

Alvin  M.  Houghton,  "  Edward  P.  Sebastian,  " 

Bounties  to  men  that  voluntarily  obtained  substitutes  to  fill  the 
town's  quota  S300 : 

Charles  Bowles,  Josiah  Parsons, 

Daniel  W.  Clark,  Orlow  E,  Parsons,  , 

Henry  C.  Clark,  Benjamin  H.  Richardson, 

James  C.  Fames,  Thayer  Thompson, 

George  W.  Eastman,  George  E.  Wliitcomb, 

J.  N.  Forristall,  George  Willis, 

Charles  H.  Howard,  Lyman  C.  Willis. 
James  H.  Olcott, 

The  following  is  the  individual  military  record  of  such  soldiers  as 
were  credited  to  Swanzey  and  a  few  who  enlisted  from  otlier  places 
but  who  were  closely  identified  witli  the  town,  having  been  born  in  it 
or  liaving  lived  here  most  of  their  lives  previous  to  the  time  they  en- 
listed. 

Charles  R.  Applin  mustered  Nov.-  26,  1861,  into  2ud  i-egiment 
U.  S.  Sharpshooters;  reenlisted  Dec.  21,  1863;  transferred  to  the 
5th  N.  H.  Infantry  Jan.  30,  1865  ;  mustered  out  June  28,  1865. 

Henry  S.  Applin  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Nov.  28, 
1861;  reenlisted  Jan.  4,  1864;  died  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  July  31, 
1864  ;  interred  at  Meade's  Station,  Va. 

Philo  Applin  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Nov.  28,  1861  ; 
discharged  for  disability  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  Apr.  3,  1863. 

Warren  F.  Allen  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861  ;  transferred  to  Veteran 
Reserved  Corps  May  31,  1864. 

Roswell  C.  Aldrich  mustered  into  16th  N.  H.  Infantry  Oct. 
23,  1862  ;  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863. 


132  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Frederick  Abel  mustered  June  25,  1864,  into  11th  N.  IT.  In- 
fantry ;  wounded  and  captured  at  Pegram  House,  Va.,  Sept.  30, 1864  ; 
released  ;  transferred  to  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  June  1,  1865  ;  substitute. 

David  8.  Aldrich,  18  inontlis  in  U.  S.  Heavy  Artillery. 

Luther  Beal  mustered  Aug.  14,  1.S62,  into  9th  N".  H.  Infantr}' ; 
discharged  for  disability  May  16,  1863,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va. 

Albert  A.  Ballon  enlisted  into  the  regular  army  in  1861  for  three 
years;  in  the  battle  below  Richmond  was  shot  in  thigh  and  subse- 
quently discharged. 

Fernando  Byron  Bennett  enlisted  into  a  Massachusetts  regiment 
and  was  killed  at  Port  Hudson. 

Henry  R.  Bowen  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  Reg- 
iment; mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863. 

Willard  Bragg  in  army  ;  died  at  Washington,  D.  C,  Aug.  19,  1864. 

iSanford  Bowles  mustered  into  16th  N.  II.  Infantry  Oct.  23, 
1862  ;  died  at  Brashear  City,  June  7,  1863. 

Orrin  Black,  jr.,  mustered  into  2nd  N.  H.  Infantr}'^,  Sept.  17,  1861  ; 
deserted  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  March  13,  1863. 

Francis  Brady  mustered  into  3rd  N,  H.  Infantry  Dec.  14,  1864  ; 
mustered  out  July  20,  1865  ;  substitute. 

George  Burns  mustered  July  8,  1864,  into  1st  N.  H.  Cavalry  ;  de- 
serted at  Camp  Stoneman,  D.  C,  Aug.  26,  1864. 

Horace  Barney  mustered  into  6th  N.  II.  Infantry  Nov.  28,  1861  ; 
discharged  for  disability  at  Annapolis,  INId.,  March  1,  1862. 

Charles  H.  Barber  mustered  into  14th  N.  H.  Infantr}'  Sept.  22, 
1862  ;  discharged  for  disabilit}'  at  Washington,  D.  C,  Apr..l,  1863. 

George  B.  Belding  died  in  California  while  in  the  service. 

John  A.  Breed  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Nov.  28,  1861 ; 
promoted  to  corporal ;  reenlisted  Jan.  4,  1864;  wagoner;  mustered 
out  July  17,  1865. 

Thomas  Burns  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Nov.  28,  1861  ; 
killed  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  Aug.  29,  1862. 

Capt.  David  Butfum,  2nd,  mustered  Nov.  4,  1862;  died  of  disease 
at  New  Orleans,  La.,  June  19,  1863. 

John  Baker  mustered  Jan.  1,  1864,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantr}'; 
wounded  Julj'  10,  1864;  mustered  out  July  17,  18G5. 

Charles  E.  Ballon  mustered  into  9th  N.  H.  Infantry'  June  6, 
1864  ;  transferred  to  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  June  1,  186.3  ;  mustered  out 
July  17,  1865;  substitute. 

Charles  H,  Barber,  jr.,  mustered  into  14th  N.  II.  Infantry  Sept. 
22,  1862  ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  133 

John  Barber  mustered  into  14th  N.  H.  Infantry  Sept  22,  1862  ; 
pron)oted  to  corporal  Dec.  1,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Jul}^  8,  1865, 

Franklin  Burbank  mustered  into  14th  N.  H.  Infantry  Sept.  22, 
1862. 

John  R.  Brown  enlisted  in  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  for  Keeue  and  died 
Aug.  9,  1863,  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Jotham  M.  Ballou  mustered  into  18th  N.  H.  lufantry  Sept.  13, 
1864  ;  mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

Nathaniel  Bourn,  jr.,  nmstered  into  18th  N.  H.  Infantry  Sept.  13, 
1864;   mustered  out  June  10,  1865. 

Charles  B.  Blodgett  mastered  into  18th  N.  II.  Infantry  Sept.  13, 
1864  ;  absent;  sick  since  ^Lny  8,  1865  ;  no  discharge  furnished. 

Charles  W.  Castle  served  in  16th  Vermont  Infantry. 

Amos  E.  Curamings  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantr}^  Nov.  28, 
1861  ;  reenlisted  Jan.  4,  1864;  wounded  July  22,  1864;  promoted  to 
first  sergeant ;  mustered  out  July  17,  1865. 

Joseph  Cross  muster«d  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Nov.  28,  1861  ; 
reenlisted  Jan.  4,  1864;  not  accounted  for. 

Prescott  D.  Coburn  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Nov.  28, 
1861;  musician;  discharged  for  disabilit}'. 

Amos  D.  Combs  mustered  as  first  lieutenant  in  6th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try Nov.  30,  1861  ;  promoted  to  captain  Apr.  29, 1862  ;  resigned  Aug. 
2,  1862;  commissioned  captain  in  14th  N.  H.  Infantry  Oct.  9,  1862  ; 
discharged  Nov.  14,  1863. 

Thomas  Christie  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Nov.  28,  1861  ; 
wounded  July  30,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Nov.  27,  1864. 

John  A.  Colby  mustered  into  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Dec.  29, 
1863. 

Frank  Canavan  mustered  Jan.  1,  1864,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantr}^ ; 
deserted  at  Camp  Nelson,  Ky.,  Jan.  24,  1864;  substitute. 

George  W.  B.  Coffee  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  promoted  to  corporal  Oct.  1,  1864;  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865. 

David  L.M.  Comings  commissioned  assistant  surgeon  4th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry Oct.  8,  1862  ;  died  of  disease  in  Swanzey  Aug.  1,  1863. 

Lewis  Carpenter  mustered  into  18th  N.  H.  Infantry  Sept.  13,  1864  ; 
mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

Benjamin  F.  Claik  mustered  into  18th  N.  H.  Infantr}'  Sept.  13, 
1864  ;  mustered  out  June  10,  1865. 

Robert  H.  Crofford  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  Feb.  6,  1863. 


134  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Frank  A.  Cargill  mustered  June  8, 1864,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
wounded  and  missing;  mustered  out  July  17,  1865;  substitute. 

Charles  W.  Cowing  mustered  May  30,  1864,  into  6th  N.  II.  In- 
fantry ;  mustered  out  July  17,  1865  ;  sul)stitute. 

Ebenezer  F.  Cross  enlisted  from  Brattleborough,  Vt.,  and  probably 
died  in  Andersonville  prison. 

WaHace  G.  DicUinson  enlisted  into  the  navy  and  died  at  Cairo, 
111. 

Elmer  F.  Dickinson  enlisted  into  23rd  Mass.  Infantry  ;  was  taken 
a  prisoner  and  had  an  arm  shot  off  after  he  had  surrendered  ;  died 
in  hospital  in  New  York. 

James  W.  Dickinson  enlisted  when  sixteen  into  23rd  Mass.  Infan- 
tr}' ;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  White  Hall  ajid  discharged. 

Lowell  W.  Darling  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Nov.  28,  1861  ; 
promoted  to  sergeant ;  wounded  at  second  battle  of  Bull  Run ; 
died  of  the  wounds  at  Washington,  D.  C,  Sept.  19,  1862. 

Aaron  Dickinson  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Jan.  4,  1864, 
as  a  reenlisted  veteran  ;  killed  in  action  June  9,  1864. 

James  L.  Davis  mustered  Dee.  7,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
discharged  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  Sept.  10,  1862. 

George  Davis  mustered  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  Dec.  30,  1863; 
deserted  on  furlough  Dec.  10,  1864. 

Edward  Doolittle  mustered  into  14th  N.  II.  Infantry'  Sept.  22, 
1862;  died  at  Poolsville,  Md.,  March  10,  1863. 

Edward  Dickinson  mustered  into  18th  N.  H.  Infantry  Sept.  13, 
1864  ;  mustered  out  June  9,  1865. 

Amasa  Davis  mustered  into  14th  N.  H.  Infantry  Sept.  22,  1862; 
discharged  for  disability  at  Washington,  D.  C,  May  27,  1NG4. 

Henry  T.  Davis  mustered  into  1st  N.  H.  Cavalry  Feb.  28,  1865  ; 
mustered  out  July  15,  1865. 

William  Deutney  mustered  Dec.  19,  1864,  into  4th  N.  II.  Infantry  ; 
mustered  out  Aug.  23,  1865  ;  substitute. 

Webster  D.  Derljy  enlisted  May  22,  1861,  into  2nd  Vt.  Infantry 
from  Townshend  ;  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorville  ;  mustered 
out  June  20,  1864. 

William  Eastman  mustered  into  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Jan.  6, 
1864. 

George  W.Ellis  mustered  into  1st  N.  II.  Cavalry  Feb.  28,  1865; 
mustered  out  July  15,  1865. 

Orleans  S.  P^aton  mustered  into  2nd  N.  II.  Infantry  May  31,  1861  ; 
discharged  for  disability  Apr.  27,  1864. 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  135 

Enlix  S.  Eastman  was  in  the  army  before  he  came  to  Swanzey. 

Michael  Farrel  mustered  Jan.  1,  1864,  into  6tli  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
wounded  June  2,  1864;  discliarged  for  disability  Oct.  17,  1865. 

Roj'al  M.  Flint,  member  of  one  of  the  nine  months'  regiments  of 
Vermont ;  permanently  disabled  from  a  wound  received  in  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg. 

Charles  H.  Gove  mustered  into  14th  N.  H.  Infantry  Sept.  22,  1862  ; 
promoted  to  corporal ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Charles  G.  Gilniore  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  In- 
fantrv  ;  promoted  to  corporal;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Atvvell  J.  Hamblet  went  into  the  army  from  Wisconsin  and  died 
while  in  the  service,  April  17,  1863. 

William  Riley  Harris  enlisted  into  the  regular  army. 

Jonathan  M.  Holden  mustered  May  31,  1861,  into  2d  N.  H.  Infan- 
try ;  discharged  for  disability  Oct.  19,  1861. 

Allen  B,  Hayward  mustered  May  31,  1861,  into  2d  N.  H.  Infantry; 
promoted  to  1st  sergeant;  slightly  wounded  July  2,  1863,  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Gettysburg;  severely,  June  3,  1864,  at  Cold  Harbor,  where  he 
lost  his  right  arm  ;  mustered  out  June  21,  1864. 

Samuel  Hurd  mustered  May  3,  1861,  into  1st  N.  H.  Infantry ;  mus- 
tered out  Aug.  9,  1861  ;  mustered  Dec.  17,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  In- 
fantr}^ ;  discharged  at  New  York  Harbor  Nov.  24,  1862. 

David  W.  Hill  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  Infantry; 
mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863. 

Theodore  Hovey  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863. 

Sylvander  S.  Hovey  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863;  mustered  into  18th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry Sept.  13,  1864  ;  promoted  to  corporal ;  discharged  June  10, 
1865. 

Fernando  S.  Hovey  mustered  from  Dublin  March  29,  1864,  into  1st 
N.  H.  Cavalry;  dischai'ged  for  disability  ftlarch  15,  1865. 

Henry  D.  Holbrook  mustered  into  7th  N.  Y.  Battery  ;  mustered 
Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infantry  ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Cyrus  F.  Holbrook  enlisted  into  9th  N.  H.  Infantry,  Aug.  15,  1862. 

Joseph  J.  Houghton  enlisted  into  43d  Mass.  Infantry. 

Bradley  W.  Hill  mustered  into  5th  N.  H.  Infantry  Oct.  23,  1861  ; 
discharged  for  disability  Sept.  30,  1862. 

Leonard  S.  Holden  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  promoted  to  corporal  Oct.   1,  1864,  and  to  sergeant  Apr.  1, 
1865  ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 


136  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

John  F.  Hunt  mustered  Sept.  13,  1SG4,  into  18th  N.  II.  Infantiy ; 
promoted  to  1st  sergeant;  mustered  out  June  10,  1865. 

Lemuel  O.  Hunt  mustered  from  Walpole  Nov.  13,  1862,  into  IGth 
N.  H.  Infantry;  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863;  mustered  into  18tli 
N.  H.  Infantry  Sept.  13,  1861;  promoted  to  sergeant;  mustered  out 
June  10,  1865. 

Orrick  L.  Haskell  mustered  into  18th  N.  II.  Infantry  Sept.  13, 
18G4  ;  mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

Charles  H.  Holbrook  mustered  Sept.  23, 1862,  into  UtU  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  mustered  out  May  25,  1865. 

George  B.  Holbrook  mustered  Oct.  2,  1862,  into  14tli  N.  H.  Infan- 
try' ;  was  detailed  for  clerical  duty  at  brigade  headquarters  ;  mus- 
tered out  July  8,  1865. 

D.  Brainard  Ilealey  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14tli  N.  II.  In- 
fantry ;  died  of  disease  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Aug.  25,  1864. 

Daniel  K.  Heale}^  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try ;  discliarged  Aug.  31,  1863,  to  accept  promotion  to  a  captainc}'  in 
u  colored  regiment;  received  a  permanent  wound  in  North  Carolina 
after  Fort  Fisher  was  talcen,  while  ascending  the  river  to  destroy 
forts. 

Ira  H.  Hooper  mustered  Sept.  13,  1864,  into  18th  N.  H.  Infantr}'; 
mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

John  P.  Hill  mustered  Sept.  21,  1864,  into  18th  N.  H.  Infantry; 
mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

Clark  11.  Houghton  mustered  Sept.  13,  1864,  into  18lh  N.  H.  In- 
fantr}' ;  discharged  in  June,  1865. 

Alvin  W.  Houghton  mustered  March  28, 1865,  into  18th  N.  H.  Iii- 
fantr}' ;  mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

Louis  Henry  mustered  Aug.  2,  1864,  into  14tli  N.  H.  Infantry' ; 
mustered  out  July  8,  1865;  substitute. 

John  \V.  Henderson  mustered  Aug.  5,  1864,  into  14th  N.  II.  Infan- 
try ;  not  officially  accouhted  for. 

William  Holden  mustered  Oct.  14,  1863,  into  3d  N.  H.  Infantr}'; 
wounded  Aug.  16,  1864;  mustered  out  May  12,  1865;  substitute. 

Tliomas  Harvey  mustered  Jan.  1,  1864,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantr}'; 
died  in  Field  Hospital  at  City  Point,  Va. 

Martin  Hanrahan  mustered  for  Hinsdale  Sept.  22,  1862;  wounded 
slightly  Sept.  19,  1864  ;  mustered  out  Jul}'  8,  1865. 

Orlan  Ilevves  enlisted  into  an  111.  Cavalry  Regiment ;  in  making  a 
charge  was  shot  from  his  horse  and  killed. 

George  W.  Johnson  enlisted  in  a  Mass.  Regiment. 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  137 

Truman  A.Jackson  drafted  in  a  New  York  Regiment;  wounded  in 
the  battle  of  the  Wiklerness  ;  sent  to  Andersonville  prison,  and  died 
there. 

Martin  Jewell  mustered  Sept.  13,  1864,  into  18th  N.  H.  Infantry; 
mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

Anson  R.  Jilson  mustered  into  2nd  N.  H.  Infantry  May  31,  1861 ; 
discharged  for  disability  July  28,  1861  ;  mustered  into  U.  S.  Sharp- 
shooters Nov.  26,  1861 ;  reenlisted  Jan.  5,  1864  ;  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Laurel  Hill  May  8,  1864. 

George  O.  Knapp  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Jan.  22,  1863. 

Thomas  Kamey  mustered  Jan.  4,  1864,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry; 
deserted  at  Annapolis,  Mtl.,  April  22,  1864. 

D.  W.  Kendall  was  in  the  army  three  years  from  Illinois. 

Rodney  Lawrence  mustered  Oct.  26,  1861,  into  5th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
killed  on  picket  June  10,  1863. 

Bradford  P.  Lampson  mustered  Sept.  23,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  died  of  disease  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  Feb.  9,  1865. 

Leonard  Lyman  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863. 

Nathaniel  F.  Lane  mustered  May  31 ,  1861,  into  2d  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
killed  at  Williamsburg,  Va.,  May  5,  1862. 

George  Sumner  Lombard  enlisted  in  1863  into  a  Mass.  Regiment 
and  died  in  North  Carolina. 

William  Lyman  enlisted  in  a  Mass.  Regiment  and  killed  while  in  the 
service. 

Herman  L.Lincoln  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try for  Richmond  ;  reenlisted  Jan.  3,  1864  ;  discharged  July  17,  1865. 

Samuel  Mattoon  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try ;  mustered  out  May  18,  1865. 

Charles  W.  Mattoon  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

George  B.  Mattoon  enlisted  in  1861,  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  in  1st 
Vermont  Cavalry  ;  participated  in  seventy -six  engagements  ;  had  three 
liorses  killed  under  him  ;  served  three  years,  most  of  the  time  under 
Sheridan  and  Custer ;  came  home  in  good  condition  "  without  hav- 
ing received  a  scratch." 

William  B.  Marble  enlisted  Dec.  26,  1861,  into  17th  U.  S.  Infan- 
try ;  wounded  at  Fredericksburg  Dec.  26,  1862;  discharged  at  the 
expiration  of  three  3'ears'  service. 

James  H.  Matthews  mustered  Aug.  15, 1862,  into  9th  N.  H.  Infan- 


138  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

try;  wounded  Sept.  30,  18G4  ;  promoted  to  corporal  May  1,  1865; 
mustered  out  June  10,  1865. 

John  L.  Meserve  mustered  Jan.  5,  1864,  into  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps. 

Ansil  A.  Morse  mustered  into  14th  N.  II.  Infantry  for  Gilsum 
Sept.  22,  1862  ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Oliver  L.  Nash  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  II.  Infantry; 
wounded  Aug.  29,   1862;  discharged  for  disability  Dec.  22,  1862. 

Slillman  D.  Nash  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  II.  Infan- 
try';  discharged  for  disability  at  New  York  Harbor  Aug.  26,  1S63. 

Frederick  Nitchker  mustered  June  14,  1864,  into  9th  N.  H.  Infan- 
tr}' ;  died  of  wounds  July  30,  1864;  substitute. 

Warren  F.  Newell  enlisted  into  the  10th  111.  Cavali y  ;  discharged 
for  an  injury  received  while  on  duty;  enlisted  into  150th  111.  Infan- 
tr}'  in  January,  1865. 

P^lbridge  G.  Prentice  mustered  into  2d  N.  II.  Infantry  Sept.  17, 
1861  ;  reiinlisled  Feb.  25,  1864  ;  promoted  to  corporal  Nov.  1,  1864  ; 
mustered  out  Dec.  19,  1865. 

Jerry  L.  Plummer  mustered  Aug.  24,  1861,  into  3d  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
wounded  severely  June  16,  1862  ;  died  of  disease  at  General  Hospi- 
tal, New  York,  March  18,  1864. 

Benjamin  Poniroy  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  II.  Infan- 
try;  discharged  for  dij-ability  at  Roanoke  Island,  N.  C. 

George  Perkins  mustered  Jan.  2,  1864,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantr\' ; 
deserted  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  March  20,  1864. 

Warren  A.  Pickering  mustered  Sept.  13,  1864,  into  18th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  mustered  out  Aug.  17,  1865. 

Charles  W.  Philbrick  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

David  Pelkey  mustered  Aug.  24,  1861,  into  3d  N.  II.  Infantry; 
mustered  out  Aug.  23,  1864. 

David  Pelkey,  2d,  mustered  Feb.  23,  1865. 

Charles  S.  Parks  mustered  Feb.  28,  1865,  into  1st  N.  H.  Heavy 
Artillery  ;  mustered  out  June  9,  1865. 

Thomas  R.  Pearson  mustered  Oct.  5,  1863,  into  5th  N.  II.  Infantry  ; 
mustered  out  May  17,  1865. 

Albert  B.  Page  mustered  March  30,  1864,  into  2nd  N.  II.  Infantry. 

Samuel  S.  Qiiinn  enlisted  into  the  three  months'  N.  II.  Inf:inli-y  ; 
commissioned  second  lieutenant  in  5th  N.  H.  Infantr}'  Oct.  12,  I-SGI  ; 
first  lieutenant  Aug.  1,  1862;  captain  Dec.  17,  1862;  resigned  Feb. 
17,  1863. 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  139 

Charles  A.  Quinn  mustered  into  5Lh  N.  H.  Infantrj'  Oct.  23,  1861  ; 
died  of  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Antietam  Sept.  17,  1862. 

Carlos  Quinn  mustered  Sept.  17,  1861,  into  2d  N.  H.  Infantry  ;  dis- 
charged for  disability  Oct.  20,  1862. 

Henry  P.  Read  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry; 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  March  15,  1864. 

Samuel  Rockwood  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try ;  discharged  for  disability  Nov.  28,  1862  ;  enlisted  into  Veteran 
Reserve  Cor|)s  Jan.  1,  1864. 

"William  Read  enlisted  into  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Jan.  1,  1864. 

George  W.  Robinson  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  In- 
fantiy  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Washington,  D.  C,  May  18,  1863. 

George  B.  Richardson  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Newbern,  N.  C,  Jan.  24,  1862. 

Ricliard  R.  Ramsdell  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  discharged  Aug.  20,  1863. 

Eli  W.  Reynolds  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try ;  wagoner;  discharged  for  disability  at  Washington,  D.  C,  Aug. 
12,  1863. 

William  N.  Ripley  mustered  Sept.  13,  1864,  into  18th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try. 

John  Ryan  mustered  Dec.  14,  1864,  into  3d  N..H.  Infantry;  mus- 
tered out  July  20,  1865  ;  substitute. 

Edward  Rogers  mustered  Dec.  27,  1864,  into  3d  N.  H.  Infantr}' ; 
mustered  out  July  20,  1865  ;  substitute. 

James  Riley  mustered  Sept.  29,  1863,  into  5th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
deserted  at  Point  Lookout,  Ml.,  Nov.  20,  1863. 

Demeret  Stone  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  Infantrj' ; 
died  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  June  18,  1863. 

Harvey  Sargent  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  Infanti'y  ; 
mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863. 

Charles  Sebastian  mustered  May  31,  1861,  into  2d  N.  H.  Infantry. 

Samuel  Sebastian  mustered  May  31,  1861,  into  2d  N.  H.  Infantry; 
discharged  for  disability  Jul}'  29,  1861. 

Louis  W.  Starkey  enlisted  into  12th  N.  Y.  Heavy  Artillery  Aug. 
15,  1864;  discharged  July  6,  1865. 

Edward  P.  Sebastian  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Washington,  D.  C,  Nov.  12,  1862  ; 
mustered  Feb.  28.,  1865,  into  18lh  N.  H.  Infantry  ;  mustered  out  July 
29,  1865. 


140  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

John  P.  Stone  mustered  May  31,  1861,  into  2(1  N.  H.  Infantry ; 
promoted  to  first  sei'geant  Dec.  15,  18G2  ;  killed  at  Gettysburg,  Penn., 
July  2,  18G3. 

Cyrus  W.  Stanley  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6tli  N.  11.  Infan- 
try;  promoted  to  corporal;  wounded  July  24,  1864;  mustered  out 
Nov.  27,  1864. 

Isaac  Starkey  mustered  Sept.  9,  1861,  into  2d  N.  H.  Infantry; 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 

Newell  R.  Smith  mustered  Dec.  5,  1861,  into  6th  N.  II.  Infantr}'; 
died  April  4,  1862. 

Aaron  B.  Sumner  mustered  May  31,  1861,  into  2d  N.  II.  Infantr}' ; 
promoted  to  corporal  Jan.  1,  1862,  and  to  sergeant  Jan.  10,  1864; 
mustered  out  June  21,  1864. 

Samuel  P.  Stephenson  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862;  discharged  for  dis- 
ability March  9,  1863. 

Thomas  Smith  mustered  Jan.  1,  1864,  into  6tli  N.  II.  Infantry-;  de- 
serted at  Camp  Nelson,  K3\,  Jan.  21,  1864. 

John  Stuart  mustered  Jan.  1,  1864,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry;  sup- 
posed to  have  deserted  en  route  to  reginient. 

Charles  Swardz  mustered  May  27,  1864,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry; 
supposed  to  have  deserted  en  route  to  regiment ;  substitute. 

Seamon  A.  Stone  mustered  Sept.  22,  186  2,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try ;  captured  at  Winchester,  Va.,  Sept.  19,  1864;  paroled  Oct.  8, 
1864  ;   mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Horace  B.  Starkey  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  II.  Infan- 
try ;  discliarged  for  disability  at  Manchester,  N.  H.,  Feb.  6,  1865. 

William  Sebastian  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infan- 
tr}' ;  promoted   to  corporal ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

William  W.  Stone  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  II.  Infan- 
try';  mustered  out  Jidy  8,  1865. 

Charles  E.  Stephenson  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  I4th  N.  II.  In- 
fantry';  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Charles  W.  Scott  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  II.  Infan- 
try; promoted  to  first  sergeant;  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863. 

George  W.  Sweetzer  mustered  into  18th  N.  H.  Infantry  Sept.  13, 
1864  ;  mustered  out  July  29,  1865. 

Frederick  E.  Sebastian  mustered  Sept.  13,  1864,  into  18th  N.  II. 
Infantry;  mustered  out  June  10,  1865. 

Andrew  Swan  mustered  Oct.  14,  1863,  into  3d  N.  II.  Infantry  ; 
mustered  out  July  17,  1865. 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  141 

Stillman  L.  Stone  mustered  Sept.  23,  18G2,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try;  wounded  severely  Oct.  19,  1864;  discharged  at  Manchester, 
N.  H.,  Jidy  4,  1865. 

Franli  Simpson  mustered  Oct.  5,  1863,  into  5th  N.  H.  Infantr\^ ; 
discliarged  by  order  May  25,  1865  ;  substitute. 

Edward  S.  Stevens  mustered  Oct.  5,  1863,  into  5th  N.  H  Infantry  ; 
promoted  to  corporal ;  wounded  June  3,  1864  ;  deserted  from  hos- 
pital Sept.  30,  1864  ;  substitute. 

William  Scarlett  mustered  Dec.  27,  1864,  into  4th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
mustered  out  Aug.  23,  1865  ;  substitute. 

Alonzo  D.  Sumner  mustered  Dec.  31,  1863,  into  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps;  discharged  for  disabilit}'  May  16,  1865. 

Luther  Smith  mustered  Aug.  15,  1862,  into  9th  N.  H.  Infantry; 
wounded  May  12,  1864  ;  mustered  out  June  10,  1865. 

John  H.  Streeter  mustered  Jan.  14,  1862,  for  Richmond,  into  6th 
N.  H.  Infantry;  wounded  May  6,  1864. 

William  H.  Thorning  mustered  into  2d  N.  H.  Infantry  from  Win- 
chester May  31,  1861  ;  mustered  out  June  21,  1864. 

George  T.  Trowbridge  mustered  into  3d  N.  II.  Infantry,  Aug.  24, 
1861  ;  killed  at  Drury's  Bluffs,  Va.,  May  13,  1864. 

Harvey  Thompson  mustered  Jan.  1,  1864;  died  in  Field  Hospital 
at  City  Point,  Va. 

John  S.  Thayer  mustered  Sept.  22, 1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
mustered  out  May  13,  1865. 

Alonzo  W.  Tupper  mustered  Sept.  22, 1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Willard  E.  Thatcher  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  died  of  disease  at  Offutt's  Cross  Roads,  Md.,  Jan.  3,  1863. 

Dexter  H.  Thomas  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  mustered  out  Julj'^  8,  1865. 

John  Thompson  mustered  Dec.  13,  1864  ;  deserted  en  route  to  reg- 
iment ;  substitute. 

Peter  Taylor  mustered  Aug.  5,  1864,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infantry; 
supposed  captured  at  Cedar  Creek,  Va.,  Oct.  19,  1864  ;  substitute. 

Charles  E.  Town  mustered  Aug.  16,  1862,  into  9th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
died  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  Feb.  20,  1865. 

Lysandcr  F.  Thompson  was  in  the  53d  Mass.  Volunteers  two  and 
one-half  years. 

Oratus  J.  Verry  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  II.  lufantry  ; 
mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863;  mustered  Sept.  27,  1864,  into  18th 
N.  H.  Infantry;  promoted  to  corporal;  mustered  out  June  10,  1865. 


142  HISTORY    OF   SAVANZEY. 

Charles  Wheeler  enlisted  into  the  regular  army  and  has  not  been 
accounted  for. 

Nelson  T.  Woodward  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  IGth  N.  H.  In- 
fantry ;  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863. 

Daniel  E.  Woodward  mustered  Oct,  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry; mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1863. 

Elliot  Wright  mustered  Dec.  3,  1861,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry; 
died  of  diseasfe  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  Nov,  28,  1862  ;  grave  No.  510, 
National  Cemetery-,  Alexandria,  Va. 

Gardner  Wheeler  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6th  N.  II.  Infantry  ; 
musterod  out  Nov.  27,  1864. 

Sanlord  S.  Wilber  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16lh  N.  II.  Infan- 
try ;  died  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  July  21,  1863. 

John  L.  AVinch  mustered  into  5th  N.  H.  Infantry,  Sept.  29,  1863, 
from  Winchester;  mustered  out  May  12,  1865. 

Noyes  G.  Wheeler  mustered  Oct.  23,  1862,  into  16th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try;  discharged,  date  not  given. 

Sexton  W.  Williams  mustered  Dec.  25,  1863,  as  a  reenlisted  vete- 
ran into  2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters;  wounded  severel}'  June  17,  1864, 
and  died  of  the  wound. 

George  P.  Ward  mustered  Sept.  23,  1862,  into  14th  N.  II.  Infan- 
try ;  mustered  out  July  8,  1865. 

Harrison  E.  Ward  mustered  Sept.  22,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try; promoted  to  corporal  March  1,  1865;  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865. 

Lincoln  Wheelock  mustered  Sept.  12,  1862,  into  14tli  N.  H.  Infan- 
try. 

Carroll  D.  Wright  commissioned  second  lieutenant  in  14th  N.  H, 
Infantry,  Oct.  9,  1862  ;  adjutant  Sept.  20,  1863  ;  colonel  Dec.  6,  1864  ; 
honorably  discharged,  March  18,  1865. 

Franklin  C.  Whitcorab  mustered  Oct  2,  1862,  into  14th  N.  H.  In- 
fantry;  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Winchester;  mustered  out  July  8, 
1865. 

John  Q.  A.  Wilson  mustered  Sept.  13,  1864,  into  18th  N.  11.  In- 
fantry ;  detailed  a  member  of  the  regimental  band  ;  mustered  out  June 
10,  1865. 

Jonas  C.  Waters  mustered  Sept.  13,  1864,  into  18th  N.  II.  Infan- 
try ;  mustered  out  June  10,  1865. 

John  Welch  mustered  Oct.  8,  1863,  into  3d  N.  H.  Infantry;  sup- 
posed to  have  deserted  en  route  to  regiment;  sul)stitute. 

James  Weed  mustered  Dec.  9,  1864,  into  3d  N.  II.  Infantry  ;  pro- 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  143 

moted  to  corporal  June  22,  1865  ;  mustered  out  July  20,  1865  ;  sub- 
stitute. 

George  "Wilson  mustered  Nov.  28,  1861,  into  6tb  N.  H.  Infantry'; 
discharged  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

John  W3ilia  mustered  Oct.  5,  1863,  into  5th  N.  H.  Infantry;  pro- 
moted to  corporal;  wounded  June  16,  1864;  sulistitute. 

George  G.  Welch  mustered  Aug.  30,  1864,  into  5th  N.  H.  Infan- 
try ;  died  of  disease  in  Field  Hospital,  City  Point,  Va.,  Dec.  5,  1864  ; 
substitute. 

Joseph  Woods  mustered  May  27,  1864,  into  6th  N.  H.  Infantry  ; 
substitute. 

James  Williamson  mustered  July  30,  1864,  into  14th  N.  H.  Infan- 
trj' ;   not  ottlcially  accounted  for;  substitute. 

Lucius  Whitcomb  mustered  from  Fitzwilliara,  Nov.  28,  1861,  into 
6th  N.  H.  Infantry  ;  killed  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  Aug.  29,  1862. 

Leonard  "Wliitcomb  enlisted  into  36th  Mass.  Volunteers  in  1862  ; 
discharged  after  four  months'  service. 

Andrew  Whitcomb  was  in  the  Worcester  Co.  of  the  6th  Mass.  reg- 
iment when  it  went  through  Baltimore;  enlisted  into  the  7th  R.  I. 
Infantry  ;  out  over  two  years  ;  wounded  in  thigh. 

L3'man  Whitcomb  enlisted  into  the  7th  R.  I.  Infantry  ;  killed  in 
the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

Park  E.  Wright  had  three  years'  service  in  Doubleday's  Battery. 

Charles  Henry  W3'man  was  in  the  lOtli  Vermont  regiment  four  and 
one-half  years  ;  detailed  as  amounted  orderly;  had  one  horse  shot 
under  him  and  had  his  sword  shot  from  his  belt. 

One  of  the  first  measures  of  the  Lower  Ashuelot  proprietors  was  to 
provide  a  "training  field."  They  felt  that  their  main  reliance  for  pro- 
tection against  the  Indians  was  upon  the  citizen  soldier}'.  Tlie  war- 
like attitude  of  the  mother  country  tovvards  France  and  some  of  the 
other  European  nations  for  ^-ears  previous  to  this  period  could  not 
but  have  firml}'  impressed  them  that  all  able-bodied  young  men  should 
be  trained  for  military'  service  in  order  that  they  be  prepared  for  such 
emergencies  as  were  liable  to  occur  at  any  time. 

For  a  hundred  years  after  the  town  was  first  settled  most  men  per- 
formed the  military  duties  required  of  them  with  alacrity.  Sucli  was 
the  honor  of  a  military  title  that  the  most  aspiring  sought  the  offices 
that  conferred  these  titles.  Tlie  early  history  of  the  town  furnishes 
the  best  evidence  that  the  men  witli  militarj'^  titles  were  the  men  upon 
whom  were  conferred  most  of  the  offices  of  civil  administration. 

In  1760  the  militia  of  New  Hampshire  consisted  of  nine  regiments 
of  infantry  and  one  of  troops.     At  this  time  Cheshire  county  com- 


144  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

prised  what  is  now  Cheshire  ami  Sullivan,  and  the  militia  of  the 
county  was  organized  into  one  regiment.  It  was  No.  G,  and  its  colonel 
was  Josiah  Willard.  Officers  and  men  liad  experienced  much  military 
service  the  preceding  years  in  the  seven  years'  war. 

No  material  change  took  place  in  the  military  organizations  of  New 
Hampshire  from  17G0  until  after  the  declaration  of  independence. 
About  this  time  important  changes  in  the  military  system  were 
made.  The  militia  were  divided  into  two  classes  :  a  training  band  and 
an  alarm  list. 

"The  Training  Band  was  constituted  of  all  the  able-bodied  male 
persons  in  the  State  from  sixteen  years  old  to  fifty  except  coi'tain  i)er- 
sons  in  position  and  employment  specified,  and  Negroes,  Indians 
and  Mulattoes." 

"The  Alarm  List  included  all  male  persons  from  sixteen  years  of 
age  to  sixty-five  not  included  in  the  Training  Band  and  not  exempted 
by  the  first  section  of  the  act.  They  were  to  serve  in  a  separate  corps, 
were  subject  to  be  called  out  of  their  towns  by  no  officer  under  the 
rank  of  a  colonel,  and  once  in  every  six  months  they  were  to  be  called 
out  by  the  captains  of  the  companies  Iic^longing  to  the  Training  Band 
in  the  limits  of  which  they  resided,  to  have  their  arms  and  accouter- 
ments  examined." 

Each  officer  and  private  soldier  was  "to  equip  himself  and  be  con- 
stantl}'  provided  with  a  good  Fire  Arm,  good  ramrod,  a  worm  priming 
wire  and  brush,  and  a  bayonet  fitted  to  his  gun,  a  scabbard  and  belt 
therefor  and  a  cutting  sword  or  a  tomahawk  or  hatchet ;  a  pouch  con- 
taining a  cartridge-l)ox  that  will  hold  fifteen  rounds  of  cartridges,  at 
least  a  hundred  buck-shot,  a  jack-knife  and  tow  for  wadding,  six  flints, 
one  pound  of  powder,  forty  leaden  balls  fitted  to  his  gun,  a  knapsack 
and  blanket,  a  canteen  or  wooden  bottle  sufficient  to  hold  one  quart." 

Each  company  was  to  muster  eight  times  a  year  including  the  reg- 
imental muster.  "Each  town  was  to  provide  and  deposit  in  some 
safe  place  for  use  in  case  of  an  alarm  a  specified  number  of  spades  or 
shovels,  axes  and  picks,  and  to  provide  arms  and  equipments  for 
those  unable  to  provide  them  for  themselves,  and  parents,  masters  or 
guardians  were  to  provide  for  those  under  their  care." 

Up  to  this  time  the  militia  of  Cheshire  county  was  included  in  one 
regiment.  It  was  now  divided  into  three  :  The  towns  of  Swanzey, 
Richmond,  Winchester,  Hinsdale,  Chesterfield,  Westmoreland,  Keene, 
Surry  and  Gilsum  constituted  one  regiment.  It  was  No.  13,  and  Sam- 
uel Ashley  of  Winchester  was  its  colonel.  The  number  of  men  in  the 
regiment  was  lOSO. 

When  Colonel  Ashley's  regiment  was  called  out  in   1777,  Joseph 


# 


THOMAS  T.  WETHERBEE. 


MILITARY    AFFAIRS.  145 

Hammond  of  Swanzey  was  its  lieutenant  colonel  and  Lieut.  Elisba 
Whitcomb  and  Lieut.  Samuel  Wright  also  of  Swanzey  were  upon  Col. 
Ashley's  staff. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  1792,  the  new  constitution  was  adopted. 
This  contained  important  provisions  as  to  the  militia.  In  the  bill 
of  rights  it  announced  the  truth  that  "a  well-regulated  militia  is  the 
proper,  natural  and  sure  defence  of  a  State  ;"  and  provided  that  the 
"general  and  field  officers  of  the  militia  should  be  nominated  and  ap- 
pointed by  the'  governor  and  council ;  that  the  captains  and  subal- 
terns in  the  respective  regiments  shall  be  nominated  and  recom- 
mended by  the  field  officers  to  the  governor,  who  is  to  issue  their 
commission  immediately  on  receipt  of  such  recommendation  ;  that  "the 
governor  of  this  State  for  the  time  being  shall  be  commander-in-chief 
of  the  array  and  navy,  and  all  the  military  forces  of  the  State  by  sea 
and  land;"  "that  no  officer  duly  commissioned  to  command  in  the 
militia,  shall  be  removed  from  his  office  but  by  address  of  both  houses 
to  the  governor,  or  by  fair  trial  in  court-martial,  pursuant  to  the  laws 
of  the  State  for  the  time  being;"  that  "the  commanding  officers  of 
regiments  shall  appoint  their  adjutants  and  quartermasters  ;  the  brig- 
adiers, their  brigade  majors  ;  the  major  generals,  their  aids  ;  the  cap- 
tains and  subalterns,  their  non-commissioned  officers  ;"  and  that  the 
division  of  the  militia  into  brigades,  regiments  and  companies  made 
in  pursuance  of  the  militia  laws  then  in  force  should  be  considered  as 
the  proper  division  of  the  militia  of  the  state  until  the  same  should 
be  altered. 

Under  this  constitution,  new  militia  laws  became  necessary.  B}^  an 
act  which  was  passed,  the  companies  in  the  towns  of  Winchester,  Rich- 
mond and  Swanzey,  formed  a  first  battalion  ;  and  the  companies  in 
the  towns  of  Hinsdale  and  Chesterfield  a  second  battalion  and  the 
two  battalions  formed  the  sixth  regiment ;  the  sixth,  fifteenth,  six- 
teenth, twelfth  and  twentieth  regiments  formed  the  fifth  brigade,  and 
the  fourth  and  fifth  brigades  formed  the  third  division. 

By  this  organization  of  the  militia  of  the  state  there  were  twenty- 
seven  regiments,  six  brigades  and  three  divisions. 

By  an  act  passed  Dec.  28,  1792,  it  was  provided  that  all  free  able- 
bodied,  white  male  citizens  from  eighteen  to  forty  years  of  age  should 
be  enrolled  ;  that  each  commanding  officer  of  a  company  should  call 
out  the  same  twice  every  year  for  inspection  of  arms  and  instruction 
in  military  discipline,  and  at  such  other  times  as  he  should  think  best, 
and  that  each  commander  of  a  battalion  should  call  out  his  battalion 
once  every  year  for  the  same  purpose  ;  that  there  should  be  one  stand- 
10 


146  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

arc!  and  one  suit  of  regimental  colors  for  each  regiment,  with  appro- 
priate inscriptions  at  the  expense  of  the  state ;  that  there  should  be 
a  major  general  to  each  division,  a  brigadier  to  each  brigade,  a  lieuten- 
ant colonel  to  each  regiment,  one  major  to  each  bdttalion,  a  captain, 
lieutenant,  ensign,  four  sergeants,  four  corporals,  one  drummer  and 
one  fifer  to  each  company ;  and  the  regimental  staff  was  to  consist  of 
an  adjutant  and  quartermaster  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant;  a  pay- 
master, surgeon,  surgeon's  mate,  sergeant  major,  drum  major  and  fife 
major ;  that  each  battalion  should  have  one  company  of  grenadiers  or 
light  infantry,  and  each  division  sliould  have  one  company  of  artillery. 

The  law  required  that  important  militia  laws  should  be  read  at  tlie 
head  of  each  company  at  least  once  a  year. 

In  1795  the  enrolment  law  was  amended  so  as  to  include  in  the  en- 
rolment those  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  forty. 

It  was  unlawful  for  any  non-commissioned  officer  or  private  to  fire 
a  gun  on  the  day  or  evening  of  muster  in  or  near  any  public  road,  or 
any  house,  or  on  or  near  the  place  of  parade  without  permission  of  a 
commissioned  officer. 

In  1796  Elisha  Whitcomb  was  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  sixth  regi- 
ment and  Philemon  Whitcomb  major  of  the  first  battalion  in  the  same 
regiment,  both  of  Swanzey. 

It  was  enacted  June  18,  1805,  that  the  captain  of  each  company  of 
artillery  organized  according  to  law  receive  out  of  the  treasury  fifty 
dollars  for  erecting  a  gun-house,  that  one  cannon  with  carriage,  har- 
ness and  apparatus  should  be  furnished  each  company  of  artillery, 
also  music-money  and  a  color ;  that  there  should  be  at  least  a  company 
of  light  infantry  or  grenadiers  to  each  battalion ;  that  there  be  not 
more  than  one  company  of  cavalry  to  each  regiment,  and  that  such 
companies  be  furnished  with  music-money  and  colors ;  that  each  com- 
pany in  the  state  turn  out  for  inspection  of  arms  and  military  exer- 
cise on  the  last  Wednesday  of  June  annually,  also  annuallj'  in  the 
month  of  August  or  September,  and  at  such  other  times  as  the  com- 
manding officers  of  companies  should  think  proper,  not  exceeding 
four  times  in  each  year;  that  each  regiment  should  be  called  out  an- 
nually in  the  months  of  September  or  October,  unless  by  permission 
of  the  ba-igadiers  they  should  parade  in  battalion ;  that  suitable  meats 
and  drinks,  or  thirty- four  cents  in  lieu  thereof,  should  be  furnished 
each  non-commissioned  officer  and  private  within  their  several  towns 
and  places  on  regimental  or  battalion  musters. 

Fhilemon  Whitcoml)  of  Swanzey  was  major  general  of  the  third 
division  of  New  Hampshire  militia  in  1810.     That  year  the  fifth  bri- 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  147 

gade  mustered  in  S'^vanzey,  and  was  revieAved  by  General  Whitcomb. 
Isaac  Stratton,  Esq.,  a  number  of  years  since,  wrote  the  following 
article  for  publication  in  one  of  the  local  papers.  Mr,  Stratton  at  the 
time  of  this  military  displaj^^  was  but  little  more  than  three  years  old, 
but  the  muster  was  regarded  by  Swanzey  people  as  an  event  of  so 
much  consequence  that  it  was  a  theme  of  conversation  for  many  suc- 
ceeding years,  and  the  little  ones  of  that  day  in  after  j'^ears  became 
familiar  with  all  its  details. 

"In  the  year  1810  the  fifth  brigade  of  Major  General  Philemon 
Whitcomb's  division  of  New  Hampshire  militia  mustered  in  Swanzey. 

The  people  of  Swanzey  were  much  elated ;  fences  were  removed ; 
fields  leveled  on  either  side  of  the  old  common,  making  a  broad  field 
nearly  two  miles  long  and  very  level.  At  that  time  there  were  four 
old-style  taverns  on  Swanzey  plains  near  the  muster  field  ;  it  was  a 
nice  location  for  a  big  muster.  The  occasion  was  blest  with  a  beau- 
tiful autumn  day.  All  of  the  regiments  of.  the  brigade  were  on  the 
field  promptly.  There  wei'e  several  volunteer  veteran  companies  on 
the  parade,  not  a  few  of  them  were  old  Revolutionar}'  soldiers.  It  was 
probably  the  greatest  military  display  that  ever  took  place  in  this  part 
of  the  State.  Not  less  than  four  thousand  men  bore  arms.  There 
were  a  greater  number  of  spectators  than  troops.  Muster  was  the 
people's  great  holidaj"  in  those  times.  Every  man,  Avoman  and  child 
that  was  able  to  go  must  be  there.  Scores  of  booths  were  erected  op- 
posite the  lines,  and  within  them  were  fiddling  and  dancing ;  ginger- 
bread and  strong  drink  were  sold  from  them  quite  freely.  The  right 
of  the  brigade  was  graced  with  several  large  companies  of  cavalry, 
their  scarlet  coats  and  bear-skin  caps  looked  warlike.  The  officers  of 
the  various  regiments  were  familiar  with  their  duty.  The  vast  line 
was  kept  in  most  perfect  order.  The  inspectors  reported  to  the  Gen- 
eral that  almost  every  man  was  equipped  as  the  law  required.  The 
General  then  reviewed  the  brigade  (his  two  sons  aids)  with  pride  and 
admiration.  The  plan  of  the  manoeuvers  and  evolutions  of  the  day 
was  carried  out  in  grand  military  style  without  mistakes  or  accidents. 

The  muster  closed  as  was  usual  in  those  days  with  a  grand  sham 
fight.  A  large  fort  was  thrown  up  at  the  base  of  Mt.  Csesar,  a  short 
distance  west  of  the  muster  field,  the  mountain  at  that  time  being 
covered  with  a  dense  forest.  Several  tribes  of  sham  Indians  lay  in 
ambush  there.  Soon  after  the  fight  commenced  they  rushed  out  and 
participated  in  the  battle,  their  faces  painted,  and  long  black  hair 
hanging  down  their  backs,  and  their  horrid  j^ells  produced  an  excite- 
ment that  is  unknown  in  these  modern  times.     It  was  a  reminder  of 


148  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

the  trials  of  the  first  settlers  of  our  country.  The  battle  continued 
nearly  an  hour,  both  armies  fought  bravely,  large  numbers  on  either 
side  were  apparently  killed  and  wounded.  The  Indians  kept  up  their 
fiendish  yells,  apparently  taking  some  scalps.  For  a  time  the  is- 
sue seemed  doubtful.  The  Americans  held  the  fort  and  by  a  very  in- 
genious flank  movement  overcame  the  pretended  British  and  made 
prisoners  of  their  entire  force  when  the  Indians  fled  to  theu-  native 
forest. 

The  physical  forms  of  those  stalwart  men  that  made  up  this  mili- 
tary display  with  their  elastic  limbs  and  martial  steps  have  gradually 
gone  down  into  the  peaceful  bosom  of  mother  earth.  The  otiieers 
that  rode  their  proud  steeds  have  gone  down  into  the  shadowy  ranks 
with  their  soldiers. 

'What  is  slorj',  what  is  fame? 
A  mere  echo,  a  sliadow,  a  name, 
A  flower  tliat  blossoms  for  a  day, 
A  stream  that  hurries  life  away.' " 

Samuel  Dinsmore,  sen.,  of  Keene,  w^s  governor  of  New  Hamp- 
shire in  the  years  of  1831,  1832  and  1833. 

When  Mr.  Dinsmore  was  governor  there  was  a  volunteer  muster  of 
the  uniformed  companies  in  tlie  county  at  Keene. 

There  was  at  this  time  much  interest  taken  in  military  displays  by 
the  people  general!}^,  and  in  nearly  ever}^  town  was  a  well-uniformed 
and  well-drilled  military  company'.  Some  of  the  largo  towns  had  two 
companies.  In  some  of  the  small  towns  the  whole  militia  of  the  town 
were  uniformed  and  organized  into  one  company. 

The  leading  spirit  in  initiating  the  muster  was  James  Wilson  who 
at  the  time  was  captain  of  the  Keene  Light  Infantr}-,  and  who  subse- 
quentl}'  became  major  general  in  the  New  Hampshire  militia  and  mem- 
ber of  congress. 

Of  the  companies  present  there  were  two  cavahy,  four  artiller}',  a 
large  number  of  light  infantry,  some  uniformed  infantry,  and  a  num- 
ber of  rifle  companies.  The  acting  colonel,  lieutenant  colonel,  major 
and  adjutant,  were  the  commissioned  colonels  of  four  regiments. 
Amos  Bennett  of  Richmond,  colonel  of  the  sixth  regiment,  was  the 
senior  officer  in  the  commission  and  had  the  command. 

Governor  Dinsmore  reviewed  the  line  and  Adjutant  General  Low 
of  the  state  militia  made  the  inspection. 

The  muster  field  was  on  the  plain  just  north  of  Swanzey  line. 

At  this  time  the  militia  was  organized  into  companies  and  regiments 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  149 

for  performing  the  military  duties  required.     The  battalion  drill  and 
battalion  officers  had  been  dispensed  with  some  years  previous. 

The  duties  required  by  law  of  commissioned  officers  were  for  cap- 
tains or  senior  otHcers  of  companies  to  warn  their  men  to  meet  in 
Ma}'  at  some  central  place  to  have  their  arms  inspected,  to  have  those 
militia  laws  read  that  were  applicable  for  the  performance  of  military 
duties  and  to  instruct  the  men  in  military  discipline.  Previous  to 
about  1<S30  the  law  required  the  May  training  to  be  on  the  first  Tues- 
day in  May.  About  that  time  it  was  changed  to  the  second  Tuesday 
in  May.  The  companies  were  again  warned  out  for  drill  by  their 
commanding  officers  just  before  the  annual  muster.  The  colonels  of 
regiments  called  the  commissioned  officers  of  their  regiments  together 
for  one  day's  drill  before  muster. 

The  muster  was  usually  held  in  September.  It  was  expected  that 
the  regiments  would  be  reviewed  by  either  a  major  or  a  brigadier-gen- 
eral, and  that  a  member  of  the  reviewing  officer's  staff"  would  inspect 
the  arms  of  each  soldier  in  the  regiment.  The  day  for  a  regiment  to 
muster  was  appointed  by  a  general  and  b}'  such  an  arrangement  as 
would  be  most  convenient  to  go  from  regiment  to  regiment  and  re- 
view and  inspecc  one  a  day.  It  was  usual  to  have  a  muster  only  on 
the  days  of  Tuesday,  Wednesday',  Thursday  and  Friday.  The  place 
for  a  regiment  to  muster  was  designated  by  the  colonel. 

The  arms  for  performing  military  dutj'  required  by  law  were,  for  a 
mounted  officer  and  cavalry  man,  a  pair  of  pistols  and  a  sword  ;  an 
artiller}'  man,  a  sword  ;  an  infantry  man,  a  gun  with  a  bayonet  fitted 
to  it ;  a  rifleman,  a  rifle  without  a  bayonet.  Wlien  the  old  flint  lock  was 
used,  each  man  was  required  to  have  two  spare  flints,  a  priming  wire 
and  brush,  cartridge  boxes  attached  to  a  belt,  and  to  hold  a  certain 
number  of  cartridges.  All  soldiers,  excepting  commissioned  officers, 
had  to  be  furnished  with  a  knapsack  and  canteen. 

All  commissioned  officers  when  on  duty  had  to  vrear  military  uni- 
forms. The  uniforms  of  field  officers  were  a  blue  military  swallow- 
tail coat,  a  felt  cocked  hat  and  white  linen  pants.  The  militia  officers 
wore  a  blue  swallow-tail  military  coat,  white  linen  pants,  and  a  leather 
military  cap.  The  officers  of  the  independent  military  companies 
wore  uniforms  to  correspond  with  the  style  of  uniform  adopted  by 
their  company. 

The  rank  of  oflScers  was  indicated  to  some  extent  by  the  epaulette 
worn.  Field  officers  wore  a  pair  of  silver  epaulettes,  captains  an  epau- 
lette upon  the  right  shoulder,  lieutenants  an  epaulette  upon  the  left 
shoulder. 

Field  officers,  when  upon  parade,  almost  invariably  z*ode  nice  horses 


150  IlISTOKY    OF   SWANZEY. 

with  good  equipage.  It  would  have  been  considered  a  disgrace  for 
an  officer  to  appear  otherwise.  It  was  not  usual  for  a  held  otlicer  to 
own  the  horse  or  its  equipage. 

Tliere  were  noted  paratle  horses  that  were  seen  at  musters  3'ear  af- 
ter year,  and  wore  seen  at  a  number  of  musters  the  same  year.  The 
letting  of  a  good  parade  horse  witli  its  equipage  was  a  source  of  con- 
siderable income.  The  general  who  reviewed,  and  his  staff,  procured 
for  the  business  an  elegant  set  of  horses  corresponding  in  color  and 
match. 

The  sixth  regiment  was  in  as  good  condition  in  1840  as  it  had  been  at 
au3'  previous  time  or  has  been  sul)sequently.  The  indei)endent  com- 
panies were  Swanzcy  Artillery  ;  Winchester,  Chesterfield  and  Hinsdale 
Light  Infantries  ;  Richmond  Grenadiers  and  Swanzey  and  Chester- 
tit'ld  Rifle  Companies.  Most  if  not  all  these  companies  appeared  at 
muster  with  full  ranks,  good  music  and  were  fairly  well  <lrilled. 

At  this  time  much  pride  was  tal<en  in  most  towns  in  having  good 
uniformed  military  companies  and  have  them  make  a  good  appear- 
ance on  muster  da3^  To  prepare  the  companies  for  a  creditable  ap- 
pearance required  much  time  to  be  spent ^n  drilling  and  mucli  money 
for  uniforms. 

Good  music  was  considered  an  indispensable  part  of  military  dis- 
play. Most  of  the  independent  companies  went  to  muster  with  a 
good  band. 

It  was  a  point  with  most  of  tliese  companies  to  be  at  the  place  of 
muster  the  day  before  in  the  afternoon,  and  to  do  some  drilling. 
Tlie  time  when  companies  expected  to  make  their  best  display  at  ma- 
nanivering  was  at  an  intermission  usuall}^  of  about  an  hour  after  the 
companies  had  been  inspected. 

For  the  duties  of  muster  day  the  men  were  warned  to  meet  at  some 
particular  place  as  early  as  six  o'clock.  The  companies  were  organ- 
ized at  once  by  its  officers  and  the  regiment  b^*  the  adjutant,  assisted 
by  the  quartermaster.  The  music  of  all  the  companies  was  consoli- 
dated into  one  band  under  the  direction  of  the  drum-major  of  the  reg- 
iment. Then  the  field  officers  took  the  command  of  the  reiiiment 
and  marclied  it  to  tlie  parade  ground.  Inspection  was  next  in  order 
by  the  general's  inspector.  Tlie  review  Ijy  the  general  took  place  in 
the  afternoon.  If  he  was  accustomed  to  making  addresses  he  would 
make  one  to  the  regiment.  If  he  was  not  so  accustomed  to  this  he 
would  have  a  member  of  his  staff,  who  was  qualified,  do  it  for  him. 

The  closing  duties  of  a  regiment  for  the  day  under  its  commander 
consisted  in  battalion  drill,  firing  in  line,  and  often  in  a  sham  fight. 

For  a  long  time  muster  day  was  the  people's  great  holiday  of  the 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS.  151 

year,  and  a  time  when  showmen  and  pedlers  went  from  muster  to  mus- 
ter, the  former  giving  exhibitions  of  great  variety  and  the  latter  dis- 
posing of  goods  of  varied  qualities. 

There  are  no  rolls  of  New  Hampshire  militia  in  the  adjutant  gener- 
al's office  by  which  Swanzey's  military  history  previous  to  1815  can 
be  known,  except  during  the  time  of  the  Revolution.  There  can  be 
no  doubt  but  that  it  was  an  honorable  one.  It  is  certain  that  previ- 
ous to  this  time  many  of  its  most  prominent  citizens  had  military  ti- 
tles which  indicates  tlieir  connection  with  the  state  militia. 

There  were  probably  no  independent  military  companies  in  this 
part  of  the  state  till  some  years  after  the  Revolutionary  war,  when  a 
cavalry  company  was  organized.  Later  still  there  were  two  cavalry 
companies  in  the  sixtli  regiment,  Swanzey  furnished  some  of  the 
men  for  the  first  company  and  most  of  them  for  the  second. 
Tlie  following  ISwanzey  men  were  captains  in  the  cavahy  : 
Jonathan  Locke,  Henry  R.  Morse, 

Fhinelias  Stone,  David  Aldrich, 

Alva  Whitcorab,  Jonathan  Whitcomb. 

William  Wright, 
The  company  was  disbanded  about  1830. 

The  Swanzey  artillery  was  formed  about  1808.  Men  required  to 
do  military  duty  in  the  sixth  regiment  had  a  right  to  enlist  into  the 
company.  But  few  ever  did  duty  in  the  compan}^  that  did  not  reside 
in  Swanzey.  It  was  substantially  a  Swanzey  compan5^  The  fol- 
lowing men  commanded  the  company.  It  is  supposed  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  first  five  is  obtained  from  traditional  evidence,  of  others 
from  the  adjutant  general's  oflfice. 
Joseph  Emerson,  Otis  Whitcomb, 

Nathan  Whitcomb,  William  Sebastian, 

Levi  Blake,  David  Parsons, 

Edward  Goddard,  Thomas  T.  Wetherbee, 

Joseph  Woodward,  James  M.  Rarasdell, 

Ahaz  Howard,  Benjamin  Read, 

Calvin  Page,  Horace  Drewry, 

Luther  Dickinson,  Benjamin  F.  Lombard, 

William  Read,  Lyman  Gates, 

David  Bennett,  Sylvander  L,  Whitcomb. 

Jonathan  W.  Capron, 

About   1824,  at  the  time  Luther  Dickinson  commanded  the  com- 
pany, it  was  newly  uniformed. 

In  1840  these   uniforms  had  become  reduced  in  numbers  and  im- 


152  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

paireil  Vn*  usage  to  such  an  extent  that  the  company's  appearance  was 
not  satisfactoiy  to  the  nienil)ers  or  to  those  who  had  been  connected 
with  it  especially  those  who  had  been  its  officers.  Early  in  the  year 
measures  were  taken  to  see  what  could  be  done  for  obtaining  new  uni- 
forms. As  a  preliminary  step  the  officers  then  in  commission  re- 
signed. A  vote  for  officers  resulted  in  the  election  of  Benjamin  Read, 
cai)tain ;  Horace  Drewr}-,  first  lieutenant,  and  Albert  Bates,  second 
lieutenant.  Such  was  the  encouragement  fur  obtaining  members  for 
the  company  if  new  uniforms  were  to  be  procured  that  seventy-seven 
complete  uniforms  were  purchased,  and  equipments  for  three  commis- 
sioned officers,  and  for  sixty-four  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates.     Ten  uniforms  without  equipments  were  for  the  music. 

After  the  new  uniforms  were  obtained,  and  previous  to  tlie  fall 
muster,  the  ladies,  to  show  their  appreciation  of  the  military  spirit 
evinced  in  the  company's  re-organization,  presented  it  with  a  s[)len- 
did  flag.  The  presentation  was  made  in  front  of  the  old  meeting- 
house, which  is  now  the  town  house.  It  was  one  of  Swanzey's  great 
days.  The  citizens  were  present  in  large  numbers  and  there  were 
manv  present  from  neighboring  towns.  We  doubt  if  tiiere  have  ever 
been  so  man}'  good-looking,  well-dressed  ladies,  brought  together  in 
Swanzey  at  any  other  time  as  stood  in  front  of  the  artillery  company 
when  the  presentation  was  made. 

This  was  done  by  Miss  Thankful  Carpenter,  daughter  of  Hon.  Eli- 
jah Carpenter,  and  received  in  behalf  of  the  company  by  the  captain. 

After  the  presentation  the  parties  repaired  to  a  bower  where  re- 
freshments were  served,  sentiments  offered  and  responses  made. 

The  slate,  in  consideration  of  the  improved  condition  of  the  com- 
pany, furnished  it  with  a  new  well  mounted  six  pound  cannon  which 
was  retained  until  after  the  company  ceased  to  maintain  its  organiza- 
tion. 

A  rifle  company  was  organized  about  1830,  mainly  by  persons  liv- 
ing in  "West  Swanzey.  It  had  its  armory  there.  From  the  lime  of 
its  organization  to  the  time  of  its  dissolution  it  had  good  numbers, 
a  good  uniform  and  was  well  drilled.  It  was  a  credit  to  the  people 
of  the  west  part  of  Swanzey. 

The  following  were  the  commanders  of  the  company  : 

Rufus  Thompson,  Charles  Greene, 

Joseph  Hammond,  Elisha  Hutchins, 

Peter  Holbrook,  jr.,  Sylvanus  Bartlett, 

Erastus  Dickinson,  Aaron  A.  Sumner. 

Tiie  officers  of  the  militia  company  previous  to  1815  we  will  not  un- 
dertake to  name.  Could  they  be  given  correctly  the  list  would  embrace 


MILITARY   AFFAIRS. 


153 


a  large  number  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential  men  of  the 
town.  The  men  that  did  duty  in  a  militia  compan}'  did  not  have  to 
procure  a  military  uniform.  They  only  had  to  furnish  themselves 
with  equipments. 

Since  1815  the  Swanzey  militia  company  have  had  the  following 
commanders : 


Samuel  Stearns, 
Benjamin  Hammond,  2d,  jr., 
John  Grimes,  2d, 
Jonathan  D.  Ware, 
Amos  Richardson,  2d,  jr., 
Horatio  Black, 
David  Read, 
Amos  F.  Fish, 


Hosea  Bishop, 
Phinehas  Stone,  jr., 
Lj'man  Leach, 
Edmund  Stone, 
Orlando  Page, 
Edwin  Snow, 
William  Moore, 
Josiah  B.  Kelloggr. 


The  following  are  names  of  Swanzey  men  who  have  been  field  offi- 


cers in  the  sixth  regiment  since  1815 


COLONELS. 


Phinehas  Stone, 
Amos  Bennett, 
David  Aldrich, 
Allen  Hammond, 

Luther  Dickinson, 


Thomas  T.  Trowbridge, 
Erastus  Dickinson, 
Jonathan  Whitcomb. 


LIEUT.  COLONELS. 

Benjamin  Read. 

MAJORS. 


David  Parsons,  .  Elijah  Hills. 

Charles  Morrill  Hammond  of  Chicago  (son  of  Capt.  Benjamin 
Hammond  of  Swanzey),  in  the  months  of  July  and  August,  1862, 
raised  a  company  of  infantr}' ;  on  Satiu'day  was  elected  captain,  and 
on  the  Tuesday  following  the  company  (Co.  I)  was  joined  with  others 
constituting  the  100th  volunteer  regiment  of  infantry  of  Illinois.  On 
that  same  day  he  was  elected  major  by  the  officers  of  the  regiment, 
taking  rank  and  mustered  in  August  30,  1862  ;  after  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863,  he  was  in  command  of  the  regi- 
ment till  Septeml)er  4,  1864,  when  he  was  promoted  to  lieutenant 
colonel;  and  on  May  11,  1865,  promoted  to  the  rank  of  colonel. 
Twenty-three  battles  are  recorded  on  the  "Old  100th  111.  Flag,"  and 
Providence  permitted  him  to  be  activel}' engaged  in  each  one  of  them. 
The  regiment  under  his  command  was  mustered  out  at  Chicago  June 
12,  1865. 


CHAPTER  T. 

Ecclesiastical. 


CONGRKGATIONAL  ClIURCH — FORMATION — EaRLY  ITiSTORY— MrMBERS — MIN- 
ISTERS—Ol'FICEUS —  Parsonage— CoNGKKGATioXAL  St)CiETY —  Names  of 
MioiiJKRs  —  Officers  —  Ladies'  Society  —  Sunday  School  —  Church 
Choir — Society  Funds— Meeting  Houses— Baptist  Church— Metho- 
dist E.  Church — Univeksalist  Society. 

The  Congregational  Church. 

THE  Congregational  Clmrcli  in  Swanzey  was  organized  Novem- 
ber 4,  1741,  ciglit  years  after  tlie  townsliip  (then  called  Lower 
Ashuelot)  was  granted  to  its  sixty  proprietors.  Previous  to  this  time, 
and  probably  from  its  first  settlement,  the  ordinances  of  religion  had 
not  been  neglected,  as  most  of  the  men  prominent  in  proi)rietary  and 
municipal  matters  were  also  leaders  in  church  affairs.  The  following 
are  some  of  the  earliest  recorded  votes  of  the  proprietors  at  meetings 
duly  called  for  the  purpose,  and  held  at  the  house  of  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Hammond. 

1737,  Sept.  7.  ^^  Voted  to  raise  a  rate  or  tax  of  240  pounds,  or  4 
pounds  on  each  right  to  defray  the  charges  of  building  a  meeting 
House,  mending  ways,  and  other  necessaiy  charges. 

'■^  Voted,  That  the}^  will  build  a  meeting  house  in  said  township  46 
feet  long,  36  feet  wide  and  20  feet  stud,  to  be  set  ou  the  rock  near 
the  corner  of  the  lot  No.  18  or  near  thereabouts. 

'■'■Voted  that  the  lot  in  No.  63  in  the  4th  division  be  for  the  first 
minister,  and  No.  7  for  the  ministry. 

'■^  Voted  and  chose  Messrs.  Nathaniel  Hannnond,  Samuel  Hills, 
Samuel  Farnsworth,  Charles  Lummas  and  Thomas  Cressoii  a  com- 
mittee to  procure  workmen  to  build  the  meeting-house  or  let  it  out  to 
be  done  as  shall  be  thought  most  proper. 

'■'■Voted  and  chose  Mr.  Samuel  Hills  to  provide  a  minister  to  preach 
the  Gospel  in  said  township  till  the  next  proprietors'  meeting." 

Oct.  20.  '■^  Voted  that  the  sum  of  three  pounds  on  each  right,  or 
(15-t) 


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ECCLESIASTICAL.  155 

180  pounds  ill  the  whole,  be  raised  to  pay  for  preaching  and  other 
necessary  cliarges. 

"  Voted,  That  Capt.  Natlianiel  Hammond  and  Charles  Luraas  be  a 
committee  to  provide  a  preacher. 

'•  Voted,  That  the  committee  shall  pitch  and  lay  out  the  lots  for  the 
minister  and  ministry." 

1 738,  March  15.  "  Voted,  That  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond  and  Mr. 
Samuel  Hills  be  a  committee  to  employ  a  minister  to  preach  in  said 
town  this  6  months  ensuing." 

Dec.  28.  ''Voted,  That  there  be  4  feet  in  the  length,  and  4  feet  in 
the  bread  til,  and  two  feet  in  the  heighth  added  to  the  meeting-house, 
and  build  a  decent  steeple  on  one  end  of  said  meeting-house  as  the 
committee  and  carpenters  shall  think  fit." 

1739,  Sept.  18.  "  Voted,  That  Mr.  Ephraira  Jones,  Nathaniel  Ham- 
mond and  Benjamin  Brown  be  a  committee  to  take  the  advice  of  some 
of  the  neighboring  ministers  concerning  some  suitable  person  to  settle 
among  us  in  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministiy,  and  accordingly  apply 
as  soon  as  conveniently  may  be  to  some  candidate  in  the  ministry'  to 
preach  upon  probation  in  order  for  settling." 

Oct.  9.  ''■  Voted  to  raise  a  rate  or  tax  of  240  pounds  or  4  pounds 
on  each  right  to  defra}'  the  cost  and  charges  of  preaching  the  Gospel 
in  said  township  in  time  past,  and  for  the  future  with  what  remains 
so  far  as  it  will  hold  out." 

Dec.  28.  The  proprietors  voted  unanimously  for  Mr.  Noah  Mi- 
rick  for  their  minister,  offering  to  give  him  "200  pounds  settlement 
in  bills  of  credit  (of  old  tenor)  if  he  shall  agree  to  settle  in  the  work 
of  the  ministry  among  us ;  one  half  to  be  paid  in  6  months  after  his 
ordination,  and  the  other  half  in  12  months  after  said  ordination." 

'■'■Voted,  also,  130  pounds  the  first  year  and  to  add  to  it  5  pounds 
every  year  until  it  comes  to  180  pounds,  in  bills  of  credit  (of  the  old 
tenor)  as  his  yearly  salary,  if  he  shall  agree  to  settle  in  the  work  of 
the  ministry  among  us,  and  be  made  as  good  from  year  to  year  as  the 
money  is  at  the  present  time,  and  be  continued  so  as  long  as  he  shall 
remain  our  minister." 

A  committee  consisting  of  Abraham  Graves,  Samuel  Gunn,  Thomas 
Crisson,  William  Scott  and  John  Evans  was  chosen  to  treat  with  Mr. 
Mirick  concerning  his  settlement,  but  no  record  is  made  of  his  accept- 
ing their  proposals. 

1740,  April  4.  In  response  to  an  article  in  their  warrant  to  "choose 
and  call  a  pious,  learned  and  orthodox  minister"  the  "worthy  Mr. 
Thomas  Goss"  was  chosen  and  invited  to  settle  among  them  with  sub- 


156  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

stantiall}'  the  same  settlement  and  salary  as  that  voted  to  Mi".  Ml- 
rick — and  with  the  same  result.  Probably  both  these  men  preached 
more  or  less  in  the  township,  as  did  also  following  them,  a  Mr. 
Gardner. 

1741,  April  13.  The  proprietors,  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  house 
of  Samuel  Gunn,  voted  to  call  Rev.  Timothy  Harrington  to  be  their 
minister  witli  the  salary  above  named,  except  it  was  to  be  150  pounds 
instead  of  130  the  first  year.  Nathaniel  Hammond,  John  Evans  and 
Timoth}'  Brown  were  chosen  a  committee  to  carry  the  proposals  to 
Mr.  Harrington — nlso  to  request  him  to  supply  them  with  preaching 
till  he  should  give  his  answer. 

May  4.  It  was  *■' Voted  to  state  Mr.  Harrington's  salar}-^  in  case  he 
shonld  take  up  with  our  proposals  at  silver  money  at  28  shillings  per 
ounce." 

Aug.  3.  "  Voted,  That  the  proprietors  will  give  Mr.  Timothy  Har- 
rington, his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  one  acre  and  an  half  of  land 
situate  lying  on  the  Meeting-House  Hill  where  he  shall  choose  to 
pitch  it,  so  as  not  to  discommode  the  setting  of  the  Meeting-House, 
in  case  he  shall  settle  in  the  work  of  the  miuistr}'  amongst  us." 

"  Voted  also  that  the  proprietors  will  exchange  tlie  scliool  lot  with 
Mr.  Timothy  Harrington,  viz.  the  house  lot  belonging  to  the  school 
right  for  the  house  lot  which  the  General  Court  has  granted  to  the 
first  minister  in  Ashuelot." 

Mr.  Harrington  in  his  letter  of  acceptance  says,  "Gentlemen,  as 
5'on  have  given  me  an  invitation  to  settle  among  you  in  tlie  work  of 
the  ministry  and  have  also  laid  your  proposals  before  me,  I  must  con- 
fess they  are  generous  and  you  willing  to  exert  yourselves  for  the  hon- 
orable support  of  the  Gospel.  The  unanimit}'  of  your  choice,  the 
repeated  instances  of  your  affection  to  my  person,  and  your  earnest 
desire  for  mj-  continuance  among  you  seem  to  declare  your  invitation 
to  be  the  call  of  God  himself;  and  that  my  accepting  of  it  may  be  for 
the  glory  of  God,  the  honor  of  Christ,  the  interest  of  religion  and  the 
mutual  i>eace  and  comfort  of  jou  all." 

Mr.  Harrington  was  ordained  and  the  church  formed  Nov.  4,  1741. 
There  were  at  that  time  no  settlements  in  what  is  now  Sullivan  County, 
and  only  two  others  in  Cheshire  County,  viz.:  —  Upper  Ashuelot 
(Kecne)  and  Arlington  (Winchester).  There  were  present,  and  as- 
sisted in  the  ordination,  elders  and  delegates  from  the  churches  in 
these  two  places,  also  from  Sunderland  and  Northfield.  The  church 
covenant,  which  was  in  accordance  with  the  Cambridge  platform,  was 
subscribed  to  by  the  pastor  Timothy  Harrington  from  the  First  church 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  157 

in  Cambridge,  and  twelve  other  men,  viz.,  Nathaniel  Hammond  from 
church  in  Littleton  ;  Jonathan  Hammond,  Littleton  ;  Abraham  Graves, 
Hatfield  ;  Samuel  Gunn,  Sunderland  ;  Charles  Lumis,  Bolton  ;  William 
Carr,  Deerlield  ;  David  Belding,  Upper  Ashuelot,  and  Samuel  Hills, 
Thomas  Cresson,  John  Evans,  Nathaniel  Hammond,  jr.,  and  Thomas 
Hammond,  who  were  never  in  full  communion  before. 

Rev.  Mr.  Harrington   was  chosen  church  clerk,   and,  January  5, 

1744,  Timothy  Brown  and  Jonatlian  Hammond  were  chosen  deacons. 
At  the  same  time  '''Voted,  That  any  person  belonging  to  another 
church  and  coming  to  reside  among  us  be  required  within  the  space 
of  one  year  to  bring  a  letter  of  dismission  and  recommendation  from 
that  church  to  this,  or  without  an  accepted  reason  for  such  failure,  be 
debarred  communion  with  us  till  done." 

Rev.  Mr.  Harrington's  house  was  burned  by  the  Indians  March  26, 

1745,  and  with  it  the  church  records.  But  the  important  events  and 
votes  that  could  be  recollected  were  confirmed  by  vote  of  tlie  church, 
Oct.  2,  1745,  and  recorded.  The  inhabitants  continued  to  suffer  from 
the  hostility  of  the  Indians,  and  in  1747  they  abandoned  tlie  town, 
and  the  members  of  the  little  church  were  scattered.  Before  leaving 
they  buried  many  heav}^  articles  of  furniture  in  the  ground,  intending 
without  doubt  to  return  under  more  favorable  circumstances.  But 
though  scattered,  the  church  was  not  disbanded. 

In  1748  their  pastor  requested  of  them  "a  testimonial  of  tlieir  ac- 
ceptance of  his  doctrine  and  conversation  among  them,  and  their 
consent  to  his  settling  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  some  other  place 
where  God  in  his  providence  might  call  him."  To  consider  and  act 
upon  this  request  a  meeting  of  the  church  was  called  to  meet  at  Brook- 
field,  Sept.  14,  but  as  only  six  of  the  eighteen  male  members  were 
present  it  was  deemed  imprudent  for  so  small  a  number  to  act  upon 
the  subject,  and  they  adjourned  to  meet  in  Rutland,  Oct.  11th.  At  this 
meeting  his  request  was  granted  on  condition  that  he  relinquish  all 
claim  to  any  arrearages  of  salary  due  to  Nov.  4,  1744,  and  his  salary 
for  the  years  1747  and  1748,  and  also  his  claim  to  the  first  minister's 
right  of  land  in  Lower  Ashuelot.  At  this  meeting  also  Anna,  his 
wife,  and  Rose,  his  maidservant,  were  dismissed  and  recommended 
with  him  to  "the  first  Chh.  in  Lancaster  or  to  any  other  regular  Chh. 
wherever  Providence  shall  cast  their  lott."  Mr.  H.  was  subsequent- 
ly settled  in  Lancaster.  As  a  token  of  his  affectionate  remembrance 
for  the  church  in  Swanzey  he  left  it  by  will  money  for  tiie  purchase 
of  a  silver  cup,  costing  $15.35.     During  his  mlnistr^^  including  the 


158  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

original  members,  fortj'-five  were  admilted  to  the  church  :  twent3'-three 
males  and  twenty-two  females,  of  whom  twenty-five  were  from  other 
churches. 

1753,  Aug.  21.  The  churches  in  Swanzey  and  Koene  met  at  the 
schoolhouse  in  Swanzey  and  mutually  and  unanimously  agreed  to  be 
one  religious  society  and  worship  together  for  the  space  of  three  years, 
the  towns  being  at  equal  expense  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel  during 
that  time.  The  church  covenant  was  then  subscril)ed  to  by  twenty- 
one  persons,  viz. :  Ezra  Carpenter,  pastor  ;  Abraham  Graves,  Nathan- 
iel Ilanunond,  Jeremiah  Hall,  Thomas  Cresson,  David  Foster.  Timothy 
Brown,  "William  Smead,  Nathan  Blake,  William  Carr,  Jonathan  Ham- 
mond, Joseph  Ellis,  Ebenezer  Nimms,  David  Niinms,  William  Grimes, 
David  Belding,  Ebenezer  Day,  Samuel  Hills,  Joseph  Hammond,  Eli- 
akim  King  and  Thomas  Hammond.  IMr.  Cari)enter  was  installed 
over  this  united  church  Oct.  4,  1753  ;  the  churches  represented  at  the 
installation,  1st  in  Hingham,  3d  in  Pl3Mnouth,  Kingston  ;  1st  in 
Lancaster,  Nichewong,  Poquaig,  Deerfleld,  Sunderland  and  North- 
field.  The  union  of  these  churches  continued  about  seven  j'cars. 
When  they  separated  Rev.  Mr.  Carpent*^r^had  his  choice  with  which  to 
remain,  and  chose  Swanzey,  continuing  to  be  its  minister  till  June, 
1764,  when  at  his  own  request  he  was  dismissed  by  an  ecclesiastical 
council  convened  for  that  puipose.  Tradition  says  that  the  council 
had  but  just  left  the  meeting-house  when  a  tornado  passed  and  turned 
the  meeting-house  one  quarter  round,  so  that  it  was  made  to  face  the 
east  instead  of  the  south.  Several  buildings  also  were  unroofed  or 
blown  down  and  one  member  of  the  council  had  a  horse  killed  at  the 
time.  During  his  ministr}-  thirty-five  were  admitted  to  the  church. 
His  salary  was  100  pounds.  He  was  appointed  chaplain  of  the  Crown 
Point  expedition  in  1757. 

It  appears  that  at  some  time  previous  to  Feb.  28,  1754,  David  Fos- 
ter had  been  chosen  deacon  ;  that  at  this  date  the  three  deacons, 
Brown,  Hammond  and  Foster,  were  diopped  and  the  two  latter  re- 
chosen. 

In  1769,  Sept.  27,  Rev.  Edward  Goddard  of  Shrewsbury  was  or- 
dained and  settled  over  tlie  church.  Six  churches  by  their  pastors 
and  delegates  assisted  at  the  ordination,  viz.,  1st  in  Lancaster,  1st 
in  Shrewsbury,  Holden,  Keene,  Warwick  and  Westmoieland.  The 
town  voted  to  pay  him  for  a  settlement  133  pounds  6  shillings  and  8 
pence  lawful  money,  and  for  a  salary  53  pounds  6  shillings  and  8 
pence  the  first  two  years,  and  after  that  time  an  annual  increase  of 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  159 

40  shillings  till  bis  salary  amounts  to  GG  ponncls  13  shillings  and  4 
pence.  In  addition  to  the  above  they  also  voted  to  bring  him  annu- 
ally thirty  cords  of  fire  wood. 

Mr.  Goddard  continued  to  be  minister  of  the  church  and  town  till 
July  5,  1798,  at  which  time  he  was  dismissed  by  an  ecclesiastical 
council  composed  of  pastors  and  delegates  from  churches  in  Mon- 
tague, New  Ipswich,  New  Salem,  Walpole  and  Ashburnham.  He  also 
continued  his  connection  with  the  church  until  the  installation  of  his 
successor.  Rev.  Clark  Brown,  Sept.  5,  1810,  at  which  time  he  was 
dismissed  and  recommended  to  the  church  in  Warwick,  with  which  he 
united  becoming  its  pastor.  At  the  time  of  his  settlement  in  1769 
the  church  numbered  forty-four  members  :  twenty-two  males  and  twen- 
ty-two females.  In  1785  it  numbered  one  hundred  and  twenty-five: 
fiftj'-seven  males  and  sixty-eight  females,  besides  sixteen  non-resi- 
dents. During  his  pastorate  deacons  were  chosen  as  follows  :  Jan. 
29,  1770,  Thomas  Applin  ;  in  1777,  Thomas  Hammond  and  Daniel 
Warner;  and  in  1782  Samuel  Hills  and  Calvin  Frink. 

The  first  part  of  Mr.  Goddard's  rainistrj'  was  evidently  pleasant 
and  prosperous  ;  the  latter  part  was  not  so  harmonious,  although  at  a 
church  meeting  Feb.  13,  1798,  it  was  voted  unanimously  in  favor  of 
his  continuing  their  minister,  but  on  account  of  his  health  voted  to 
excuse  him  from  preaching  for  a  season.  The  church  appeared  to  be 
ever  friendly  to  him,  but  a  growing  feeling  of  discontent  manifested 
itself  on  the  part  of  the  town,  which  compelled  his  resignation.  Dur- 
ing his  ministry  several  members  were  disciplined  ;  some  for  absent- 
ing themselves  from  church  services  and  ordinances,  and  some  for 
a  too  free  use  of  that  unruly  member,  the  tongue,  in  slander.  Most 
of  the  offenders  confessed  their  faults  and  were  continued  in  church 
fellowship. 

Both  Mr.  Goddard  and  liis  prerlecessor  were  often  troubled  in  ob- 
taining their  salaries,  officiating  as  tiie\'  did  during  the  perilous  and 
trying  times  of  Indian  wars  and  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  The 
ministry  of  Mr.  Goddard  was  longer  than  that  of  an}'  other,  nearly 
twenty-nine  years.  During  that  time  one  hundred  and  fift3'-six  mem- 
bers were  received,  of  whom  fifty-six  were  from  other  churches  ;  fort}'' 
baptisms  wei'e  administered.  The  baptismal  or  half-way  covenant, 
as  it  was  called,  was  then  in  vogue.  Mr.  Goddard  was  church  clerk 
during  his  ministry.  Sept.  6,  1798,  Calvin  Frink  was  chosen  clerk, 
and  June  3,  1799,  Joseph  Cross  was  elected.  April  2,  1806,  Calvin 
Frink  resigned  the  office  of  deacon. 

"The  Rev.  Clark  Brown,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  1797, and  who  had 


160  HISTORY   OF    SWAXZEY. 

been  dismissed  from  Brimfield,  Mass.,  began  to  siippl}-  tlie  pulpit  in 
Swaiizoy,  Aug.  21,  1808,  and  was  installed  Sept.  5,  1810.  He  pro- 
fessedl}'  became  an  Episcopalian  and  attempted  to  render  the  church 
such,  but  failing  in  tlic  attempt,  his  connection  was  dissolved  b}^  mu- 
tual council  Oct.  1,  1815.  During  his  ministry  forty-nine  were  ad- 
mitted to  full  communion  and  eight^'-two  were  baptized.  Salary 
$400.  He  was  a  man  of  popular  talent  but  unstable.  In  the  interim 
before  the  next  ordination,  seven  were  admitted  and  ten  were  bap- 
tized. Tlie  Rev.  Joshua  Chandler,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  1804.  was 
ordained  Jan.  20,  1819,  and  dismissed  by  council  at  his  own  request 
Nov.  26,  1822.  During  his  ministry  nine  were  admitted  to  com- 
munion and  twent3'-three  baptized.  His  salary  was  $400.  In  the  in- 
terval between  liis  dismission  and  the  next  installation  two  were 
admitted  to  church  fellowship.  The  number  of  the  church  from  the 
first  is  417  and  the  baptisms  709." 

The  foregoing  extract  and  some  other  items  are  taken  from  "New 
Hampshire  Churches,"  and  written  by  Rev.  E.  Rockwood. 

The  Rev.  Ebenezer  Colman  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  church 
Ma}'  23,  1827.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Brown  Universitj'  in  1815,  a 
good  scholar,  an  al)le  preacher.  Salar}'  $300  and  thirtv  cords  of 
wood.  The  exercises  at  the  installing  council  were  conducted  b^' the 
following  ministers  : — Introductory  prayer  bj'^  Salmon  Bennett,  Marl- 
borough ;  sermon,  Z.  S.  Barstow,  Keene ;  consecrating  prayer,  John 
"Walker,  Chesterfield;  charge  to  pastor,  William  Muzzy,  Sullivan; 
right  hand  of  fellowship,  O.  C.  Whiton,  Troy  ;  address  to  people, 
Jolin  Sabin,  Fitzwilliam  ;  concluding  prayer,  A.  B.  Camp,  Ashb}', 
Mass. 

The  council  when  met  passed  the  following  : 

"Whereas  the  free  use  of  ardent  spirits  is  doing  much  injur}-  to  the 
peace  of  families  and  to  the  good  order  of  Society,  as  well  as  in  de- 
stroying the  souls  of  many,  we  deem  it  the  duty  of  every  friend  of  re- 
ligion and  human  happiness  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  discontinue  it; 
therefore  resolved  unanimously  that  this  Council  request  the  commit- 
tee of  the  socict}'  to  exclude  all  ardent  spirits  and  wines  from  the 
entertainment  provided  for  the  Council."  The  necessity  for  such  a 
resolution  gives  us  an  inkling  of  the  practice  in  church  circles  previ- 
ous to  this  date.  May  27,  1827,  the  pastor  was  chosen  church  clerk. 
April  3,  1828,  Joseph  Dickinson  was  chosen  deacon,  and  Aug.  13, 
1830,  Jona.  D.  Ware  was  chosen  to  the  same  ofl3ee. 

A  constitution  for  a  church  library  was  adopted  Dec.  5,  1828.  Mr. 
Colman   was  appointed  librarian  and  Asahel   Shurtlefi"  and  Joseph 


REV.  ELISHA    ROCKWOOD,  D.  D. 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  161 

Smead  a  committee  to  examine,  and  receive  or  reject,  all  books  which 
might  be  purchased  for  the  library  or  presented  to  it. 

Mr.  Colman's  pastorate  continued  till  July  1,  1834,  when,  at  liis 
request,  the  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  b}'^  a  mutual  council  com- 
posed of  pastors  and  delegates  from  Fitzwilliam,  Westmoreland, 
Keene,  Winchester  and  Walpole.  Among  the  reasons  he  assigns  for 
leaving  were  his  small  salary,  not  being  sufficient  for  the  support  of 
his  family,  and  being  obliged  frequentl}'^  to  worship  in  a  hall  or  school- 
house,  as  the  meeting-house  was  claimed  a  part  of  the  time  by  the 
Universalists. 

July  13,  1S34,  Luther  Browne  was  chosen  clerk  of  the  church  ;  and 
April  4,  1838,  William  Read  accepted  the  office  of  deacon,  to  which 
he  had  previously  been  chosen.  After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Colman 
and  before  his  successor  was  installed,  the  pulpit  was  occupied  by 
several  persons  but  principally  by  Rev,  Roger  C.  Hatch,  and  twenty- 
two  persons  were  admitted  to  the  church. 

Nov.  16,  1836,  Rev.  Elisha  Rockwood  was  settled  as  minister  of 
the  church  and  people,  and  was  soon  after  chosen  church  clerk.  He 
was  born  in  Chesterfield,  May  9,  1778,  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege 1802.  Preceptor  of  Plymouth  Academy  two  years,  tutor  in  Dart- 
mouth College  two  years,  pastor  of  Congregational  Church  in  West- 
borough,  Mass.,  twenty-six  and  one-half  years,  and  of  the  church  in 
this  town  nearly  twenty-two  years,  dying  June  19,  1858,  and  preach- 
ing till  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school, 
highly  res[>ected  by  all  who  knew  him,  by  those  who  believed  the 
doctrines  he  faithfully  preached,  and  by  those  whodissented  from  them. 
On  the  eightieth  anniversary  of  his  birth  he  preached  a  sermon  from 
the  text  "I  am  this  day  four  score  years  old"  (ii  Samuel  19  :  35),  giv- 
ing interesting  reminiscences  of  his  life  and  good  advice  to  his  peo- 
ple. This  sermon  was  published  aTter  his  death.  He  was  twice 
married,  first  to  Susan  Parkman  of  Westborough,  and  second,  to  Mrs, 
Emily  Wilder  Herrick  of  Keene.  The  degree  of  D.D.  was  conferred 
upon  him  by  Dartmouth  College. 

During  his  ministry  in  this  town,  fifty-eight  persons  were  received 
to  the  church,  twenty-eight  were  dismissed  and  recommended  to 
other  churches  and  twenty-eight  of  the  members  died. 

June  3,  1843,  the  church  confession  of  faith  and  church  covenant 

were  by  unanimous  vote  of  the  church  revised  and  made  to  conform 

to  those  of  most  other  churches  in  connection   with  the  Monadnock 

Association;  and  March  2,  1845,  these  were  printed  for  distribution 

11 


162  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

among  the  members.     Tlie  cliurcli  numbered  at  this  time  seventy-t\YO, 
of  whom   twenty-one  were  males  and  fifty-one  females. 

Mr.  ll's  salary  was  $400,  of  which  875  was  annually  relinquished 
by  him  for  several  of  the  last  years  of  his  life. 

As  ministerial  changes  became  more  frequent  in  New  England  the 
society  followed  the  prevalent  fashion  and  purchased  a  house  for  tiie 
use  of  its  ministers.  It  was  bought  of  Dr.  Willard  Adams  for  $1200, 
which  amount  was  raised  by  subscription  witii  the  exception  of 
S300  which  was  taken  from  Societj'  funds.  The  parsonage  was  dedi- 
cated with  appropriate  services  May  20,  1859. 

Nov.  5,  1858,  Mowry  A.  Thompson  was  chosen  clerk,  but  soon  af- 
ter, removing  from  town,  Josiah  Parsons  was  chosen  and  has  since 
retained  the  oflice. 

The  last  minister  that  was  "settled"  over  the  church  and  society 
was  John'G.  Wilson,  who  was  installed  June  29,  1859.  Salary  $400 
and  use  of  parsonage.  He  was  an  earnest  and  acceptable  preacher.  lie 
remained  a  little  more  than  four  years  when  at  his  request  the  pasto- 
ral relation  was  dissolved.  He  was  born  in  Nelson,  Sept.  IS,  1820, 
studied  theology  and  graduated  at  Bangor  Theological  Seminary  in 
1850  ;  ordained  at  Bellows  Falls,  Vt.,  Dec.  12,  1851.  Preached  there 
and  also  at  Saxton's  river,  Vi.,  and  Charlestown,  until  became  to 
Swanzey.  Since  leaving  here  he  has  been  City  Missionary  at  Port- 
land, Maine. 

July  24,  1864,  Rev.  T.  E.  Roberts,  who  had  l)een  supplying  the 
church  in  Tro}',  commenced  preaching  as  stated  supply,  and  contin- 
ued till  Oct.,  1868.  He  was  somewhat  easy  in  his  theological  views 
as  well  as  in  his  business  relations.  After  closing  his  labors  with  the 
church  in  this  [)lace  he  preached  about  two  years  at  East  Swanze}', 
being  engaged  at  the  same  time  as  a  life  insurance  agent,  in  which 
business  he  did  not  succeed.  He  has  not  since  been  in  the  minis- 
try. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Cutler  succeeded  Mr.  Roberts  and  preached  nearly  two 
years.  He  was  a  3'oung  man,  a  tine  speaker,  interesting  in  tlie  pul- 
pit, but  lacking  in  those  qualities  which  are  essential  to  success  as 
pastor  among  the  people  of  his  parish.  He  has  since  been  rector 
of  the  Episcopal  church  in  Goffstowu.  At  the  close  of  Mr.  Cutler's 
miuistr}'  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle  held  a  series 'of  gospel  meetings  with  the 
Baptist  and  Congregational  churches,  and  on  the  first  Sunday  in  Jan- 
uary, 1871,  fifteen  persons  united  with  the  latter  church. 

The  next  minister  was  Rev.  Charles  AVille}',  a  zealous  preacher, 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  163 

untiling  in  his  efforts  to  do  good,  who  remained  till  July,  1873,  when 
thinking  he  would  be  of  more  service  in  some  other  place  went  first 
to  Wisconsin  and  preached  two  years,  then  to  Newfield,  N.  J.,  where 
he  has  since  resided,  preaching  apart  of  the  time  in  connection  with 
his  labors  on  the  farm.     Mr.  W.  was  born  at  Derb}^  Vermont,  Sept. 

9,  1815  ;  married  Miss  Harriet  Claggett  of  Newport,  N.  H.,  Sept.  24, 
1843;  studied  theology  at  Andover,  ordained  at  Chichester,  Sept.  15? 
1845,  pastor  of  the  church  there  six  years  ;  afterwards  before  coming 
to  Swanzey  preached  at  Kingston,  London  Mills,  Epsom,  Barrington, 
Center  Harbor,  Greenfield  and  Nelson,  remaining  from  one  to  six 
years  in  each  place. 

Tlie  church  was  now  without  a  resident  minister  till  the  following 
Januarj'^,  although  as  usual  on  such  occasions,  public  religious  ser- 
vices were  observed  on  the  Sabbath,  sometimes  conducted  by  a  tran- 
sient minister  and  at  other  times  by  members  of  the  church. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  new  year,  Rev.  E.  I.  Carpenter,  formerly'' 
of  Littleton,  but  more  recently  in  the  service  of  the  Vermont  Bible 
Societ}',  commenced  his  labors  among  us  and  continued  them  till  Feb. 

10,  1877,  when  he  was  thrown  from  his  sleigh  and  received  injuries 
from  which  he  died  in  a  few  hours,  Mr.  C.  was  an  able  preacher,  in 
good  repute  among  his  ministerial  brethren  and  highly  esteemed  by 
all  who  knew  him.  He  was  much  interested  in  the  people  at  East 
Swanzey  and  preached  there  more  than  had  an}'^  of  his  predecessors. 
About  three  months  before  his  death,  his  wife,  a  nol)le  woman,  was 
stricken  with  heart  disease  and  died  nearly  as  suddenly  as  he  did. 
Mr.  C's  salary  was  $600  and  use  of  parsonage. 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Carpenter  was  Rev.  H.  H.  Saunderson  vrho 
for  the  twelve  preceding  years  had  been  minister  in  Charlestown. 
His  salary  was  $525  and  parsonage.  He  was  a  good  scholar  and 
writer,  having  written  the  history  of  Charlestown  when  he  was  there. 
He  was  also  a  good  sermonizer,  but  old  age  had  weakened  his  powers, 
and  by  want  of  energ}'  he  failed  to  greatly  interest  and  arouse  his  au- 
dience. He  occupied  the  pulpit  till  Maj',  1882,  and  soon  after  re- 
moved to  Manchester  where  he  resided  till  his  death  in  January,  1890. 
Hewas  born  in  Hollis,  Sept. 12,  1810,  studied  threeyears  at  Yale  Col- 
lege, graduated  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary  1842  ;  married  Oct. 
1,  1845,  Miss  Elizabeth  Cummings  of  Hollis.  He  was  minister  at 
Ludlow,  Vt.,  seven  years  and  atWallingford,  nine  years.  He  preached 
also  at  other  places,  taught  music  and  was  engaged  in  various  liter- 
ary pursuits.  He  was  an  ardent  lover  of  nature,  encouraged  the 
planting  of  shade  trees  in  our  streets,  and  set  with  his  own  hand  the 


164  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

graceful  elm   immediately  in   front  of  the  brick  cliurcb,  April  18, 
1878. 

During  tlie  ministry  of  Mr.  Saunderson  (March  2,  1879)  the  churcli 
and  congregation  voted  to  have  but  one  preacliing  service  on  the  Sab- 
bath, and  that  in  the  forenoon.  This  practice  has  been  continued 
since.  From  time  immemorial,  in  accordance  with  the  prevalent  cus- 
tom, there  had  been  two  sermons,  generally  at  11  a.  m.  and  1  r.  :\r. 
It  has  also  been  the  custom  to  have  a  prayer  meeting  in  the  middle 
of  the  week,  and  likewise  Sabbath  evenings,  especially  when  there  has 
been  but  one  preaching  service.  March  30,  1877,  Alonzo  A.  "Ware 
was  chosen  deacon. 

Oct.  8,  1882,  Rev.  Benjamin  Merrill  commenced  his  ministerial 
labors  in  this  i)lace  and  faithfidly  performed  them  till  his  sudden 
death  Nov.  19,  1888,  receiving  a  salary  of  $700  and  parsonage  ($800 
■were  paid  him  the  first  three  j^ears).  He  was  born  in  Haverhill, 
March  25,  1835;  learned  the  printer's  trade  when  a  boy  ;  prepared 
for  college  at  Haverhill  and  Kimball  Union  Academies;  graduated 
from  the  scientific  department  of  Dartmouth  College  in  1858  ;  in  bus- 
iness for  some  time  in  N.  Y.  Cit}' ;  studied  Greek  one  year  with  his 
brother.  Rev.  J.  L.  Merrill;  graduated  at  Princeton  Theological  Sem- 
inary 1864  ;  ordained  b^'  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  at  Newville,  Pa., 
June  7,  1864,  missionary  among  the  Scotch  coal  miners  at  Barton, 
Md.,  two  years ;  pastor  Congregational  church,  Pembroke,  three  and 
one-half  years;  Presbyterian  church,  Ausable  Forks,  N.  Y.,  twelve 
years,  when  he  was  dismissed  and  came  to  Swanzey.  He  married 
April  28,  1864,  Joanna  W.  Merrill  of  New  York.  They  have  had 
three  children  of  whom  only  one,  "William  K.,  survives.  In  May, 
1889,  Rev.  Harvey  Woodward  of  Keene,  formerly  a  minister  of  the 
M.  E.  church,  was  engaged  as  pastor,  in  which  capacity  he  still  re- 
mains. 

It  thus  appears  that  during  the  onehundred  and  fort3'-nine years  since 
the  formation  of  the  church  there  have  been  fifteen  ministers,  of  whom 
eight  were  settled  pastors  and  seven  stated  sup|)lies,  the  former  aver- 
aging about  twelve  years  and  the  latter  four.  There  have  been  few  if 
any  controversies  in  the  church  or  among  its  members  upon  theological 
points  or  forms  of  worship. 

It  was  tlie  only  church  in  town  till  1792,  when  the  Baptist  church 
was  formed  at  "West  Swanzey.  Its  ministers  were  supported  at  first 
by  a  tax  upon  the  proprietors  and  upon  all  tax  paj'ers  in  the  town  ; 
and  afterwards,  partly  by  contributions  and  parti}'  by  taxation. 

It  was  the  church  of  the  "standing  order,"  so  called.     In  1819,  the 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  165 

"toleration  act"  was  passed  by  the  New  Hampshire  legislature,  re- 
quiring tliat  no  person  should  be  taxed  except  voluntarily,  in  support 
of  any  religious  denomination  ;  but  some  years  previous  to  this  time 
any  person  had  the  privilege  of  having  his  minister  tax  abated  pro- 
vided he  paid  for  the  support  of  some  other  denomination. 

CONGREGATIONAL    SOCIETT. 

Tlie  Congregational  Society  in  Swanzey  was  formed  Dec.  26,  1809, 
and  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  June  16,  1810.  Its  ob- 
ject was  to  maintain  the  preacliing  of  the  gospel  and  to  act  jointly 
with  the  cluu'ch  in  calling,  settling  and  dismissing  ministers.  It  was 
autliorized  to  "assess  and  collect  taxes  for  the  support  of  a  Gospel 
ministry  and  other  necessary  expenses  of  said  Society,"  and  to  receive 
donations  and  hold  funds  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  one  thousand 
dollars.  This  charter  was  amended  in  1867,  authorizing  the  holding 
of  funds  to  an  amount,  the  income  of  which  should  not  exceed  $5,000 
l)er  year.  There  is  a  record  of  but  few  taxes  ever  being  assessed 
after  tlie  formation  of  the  society;  and  for  many  years  past  all  ex- 
penses iuive  been  paid  by  voluntary  contributions.  Before  tlie  act  of 
incorporation  sixty  three  persons  joined  the  society,  viz.  :  Ebenezer 
Hills,  Aaron  Parsons,  Elijah  Belding,  Elkanah  Lane,  jr.,  Joseph 
Dickinson,  James  Brewer,  Calvin  Frink,  William  Wright,  "Samuel 
Hills,  Asaph  Lane,  Henry  Morse,  Nehemiah  Cummings,  Amos  Bailey, 
Thomas  Applin,  Joel  Read,  Ezekiel  Thompson,  Daniel  Cummings, 
Ellijah  Graves,  Joseph  Smead,  Amos  Bailey,  jr.,  James  Pierce,  John 
Thompson,  Josiah  Parsons,  John  Read,  Gad  Graves,  Levi  Blake, 
Silas  Parsons,  Luther  Wright,  Joseph  Cross,  Josiah  P.  Read,  Benja- 
min Brown,  Benjamin  Hammond,  Enoch  Cummings,  Joseph  Ham- 
mond, jr.,  Joseph  Kimball,  James  Cummings,  John  Applin,  Paul 
Raymond,  Samuel  Belding,  Isaac  Butterfield,  Ezekiel  Osgood,  Far- 
num  Fish,  Moses  B.  Williams,  Zenas  Ware,  Samuel  Lane,  Timothy 
Tiiompson,  Elijah  Lane,  Beriah  Day,  Nicholas  HoAves,  Elisha  Lane, 
Elisha  Osgood,  Timothy  Clark,  Tliaddeus  Cummings,  Tliouias  Cross, 
Peter  Cross,  Foster  Emerson,  William  Dnrant,  Azariah  Dickinson, 
Edward  Goddard,  jr.,  Aninriali  Partridge,  Nathaniel  Dickinson,  Seth 
Belding  and  Joseph  Dickinson,  jr. 

The  clerks  of  the  society  have  been  Joseph  Cross,  six  years ;  Far- 
num  Fish,  five  years  ;  Asahel  Shurtleff,  three  years;  Thomas  Applin, 
two  years  ;  William  Read,  fiCty-six  years  ;  Alonzo  A.  AYare,  eight  years. 
The  other  officers  were  a  board  of  three  directors,  treasurer  and  col- 
lector, all  of  whom  were  to  be  and  have  been  chosen  annually  the 


166  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

first  Monday  in  April.  Those  tliat  liave  served  as  directors  were 
Kehcniiuli  Ciimmings,  James  Brewer,  Lutlier  Wright,  Fariitim  FIsli, 
Silas  Parsons,  Thomas  Cross,  Tiioraas  Applin,  Timotliy  Tliompson, 
Daniel  Cummings,  Ezra  Tiiayer,  EzeUiel  Osgood,  Joseph  Dickinson, 
jr.,  Foster  Emerson,  Ezekiel  Thompson,  Levi  Blake,  Seth  Bclding, 
Daniel  Wetherbee,  Abel  Wilson,  Abel  Wilder,  Silas  Jones,  Thomas 
Applin,  Daniel  C'limniings,  Amos  Baile^',  James  Cummings,  John 
Thompson,  Benjamin  Brown,  Josiah  P.  Kead,  William  Read,  Eleazer 
Mason,  Hubbard  Williams,  Jona.  D.  Ware,  Josiah  Parsons  (father 
and  son),  Luther  Browne,  Phineas  Stone,  Alvah  Thompson,  Asa  Ilea- 
ley,  Samuel  Stone,  Mowry  A.  Tliompson,  M.  Edwin  AVright,  John 
S,  Sargeant,  Franklin  Downing,  Alonzo  A.  Ware,  Luther  S.  Lane  and 
Lyman  ]\L  Stone.  Those  that  served  the  longest  in  this  capacity  were 
William  Read,  forty  years  ;  J,  D.  Ware,  thirty-eight  years  ;  and  Alvah 
Thompson,  sixteen  j'ears. 

The  treasurers  of  the  society  have  been  Henry  Morse,  four  years; 
Asahel  Shurlletf,  one  ;  Enoch  Cummings,  one;  Daniel  Cunnnings, 
one;  Amos  Bailey,  forty-six  ;  P2noch  Howes,  eighteen  ;  and  M.  C. 
Stone,  seven  years. 

The  names  of  females  appear  upon  the  church  records  under  the 
heads  of  baptisms,  admissions  to  and  dismissions  from  the  church, 
marriages  and  deaths.  With  these  exceptions  they  rarely'  appear  in 
church  history.  Notwithstanding  this,  the  influence  of  woman  though 
silent  and  less  demonstrative,  is  perhaps  even  greater  than  that  of  man. 
Numericall}'  the}'  far  ontnunil)er  the  men  ;  and  this  has  always  been 
so  except  perhaps  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  town. 

As  an  anxiliar}^  to  the  Congregational  Society,  and  for  tliepuipose 
of  supporting  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  the  Ladies^  Benevolent  So- 
ciety was  organized  May  12,  1835,  with  fifty-two  members.  Its  consti- 
tution directed  that  the  annual  meeting  should  be  held  on  the  second 
Tuesday  of  May,  and  regular  montldy  meetings  on  the  second  Tuesday 
of  every  month.  Tliese  meetings,  with  few  interrui)tions,  have  since 
l)een  continued,  sometimes  meeting  once  in  two  weeks  instead  of  four. 
The  afternoon  or  evening  has  been  spent  in  knitting,  sewing,  braiding 
palm  leaf  hats,  reading,  essays,  and  cultivating  the  social  element. 
Ever}'  member  was  required  to  pay  at  least  twenty-five  cents  a  year.  The 
avails  of  the  society  since  its  formation  have  been  about  $3,000. 
This  has  been  applied  principally  towards  the  payment  of  the  pastor's 
salary,  but  somewhat  to  missionary  enterprises  and  helping  the  poor. 

The  presidents  of  the  society  have  been  Mrs.  Samuel  D.  King,  ^Irs. 
E.  Rockwood,  Mrs.  J.  G.  Wilson,  Mrs.  E.  F.  Read,  Mrs.  B.  Read, 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  167 

Mrs.  Charles  Willey,  Mrs.  E.  I.  Carpenter,  Mrs.  A.  M.  Adams,  Mrs. 
J.  S.  Sargeant,  Mrs.  A.  S.  Blake,  Mrs.  B.  Merrill  and  Mrs.  H.  Wood- 
ward. Secretaries:  Miss  Lucy  Browne,  Mrs.  S.  D.  King,  Miss  H. 
A.  Rockwood,  Miss  P.  Lane,  Miss  S.  B.  Wilder,  Mrs.  B.  Read,  Miss 
H.  A.  Thompson,  Miss  E.  M.  Williams,  Miss  E.  R.  Bailey  and  Miss 

E.  A.  Newell.  Miss  Bailey  was  secretary  and  treasurer  twenty-five 
years,  until  her  death. 

Sunday  School. 

The  records  of  the  Sunday  School  in  connection  with  the  church 
are  very  incomplete,  being  entirely  wanting  in  the  earlier  part  of  its 
history.  A  school  was  first  organized  probabl}'^  about  1826,  and  has 
been  continued  nearl}'  every  Sunday'  since  ;  having  had  for  its  superin- 
tendents in  part,  Joseph  Dickinson,  William  Read,  J.  D.  Ware,  E.  F. 
Read,  Alfred  Marl)le,  M.  A.  Thompson,  M.  E.  Wright,  C.  M.  Lane, 
A.  A.  Ware  and  L.  M.  Stone. 

Its  sessions  have  usually  been  immediately  after  the  morning  church 
service,  with  an  average  attendance  of  between  fifty  and  sixty,  and  a 
total  yearly  membership  of  about  twice  that  number.  Its  library 
numbers  about  GOO  volumes.  Miss  Mary  W.  Lane  left  by  will  a  little 
more  than  $100  to  replenish  the  library. 

Music. 

The  church  choir  has  been  an  harmonious  one.  Certainly  this  has 
been  the  case  within  the  memory  of  living  men,  and  previous  to  that 
time  the  records  upon  the  subject  are  silent.  The  proverbial  sensi- 
tiveness of  singers  has  rarel}-,  if  ever,  shown  itself  in  bickerings  and 
scramblings  for  the  chief  places.  Tlie  chosen  leaders  of  later  years 
have  been  Ezekiel  Thompson,  Hubbard  Williams,  Philo  Applin,  E. 

F.  Read,  L.  S.  Lane,  C.  ]\L  Lane  -jind  Harvey  Sargeant.  Geo.  F. 
Lane,  whom  all  liave  ever  delighted  to  hear,  was  a  member  of  the  choir 
about  fifty-five  3'ears.  Tlie  long  list  of  singing  books  that  have  been 
used  is  probably  much  the  same  as  that  used  in  other  choirs.  For 
man}'  5'ears  previous  to  June  6,  1858,  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns, 
with  a  selection  from  other  authors,  was  the  principal  hymn  book 
used.  At  this  date  the  ''•  Congregational  Hymn  Book,"  by  Elias  Nason, 
was  introduced  and  retained  till  1880,  when  it  gave  place  to  '■'Sjyirit- 
ual  Songs"  containing  both  the  hymns  and  music,  by  Charles  S. 
Robinson.  This  book  is  still  in  use.  The  only  early  church  records 
pertaining  to  music  are  tliese  : — 

May  4,  1797.     "Voted  that  the  pastor  in  the  name  and  behalf  of 


168  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

the  Chh.  the  next  Lord's  diij^  request  the  singers  to  assist  tlie  Clih.  in 
singing  after  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  supper. 

"Voted  that  the  pastor,  next  Lord's  day,  after  Divine  service,  pro- 
pose to  the  Congregation  a  contiibution  to  be  had  the  next  succeed- 
ing Sal)bath  for  the  i)urpose  of  raising  money  to  purchase  a  bass  viol 
for  the  use  of  the  Congregational  Society  in  Svvanzey." 

Church  and  Society  Funds, 
By  the  gifts  and  bequests  of  several  individuals  the  church  and  so- 
ciety have  a  fund  of  67,780,  the  income  of  which  is  to  be  applied  to 
the  support  of  Gospel  preaching  and  other  religious  purposes.  The 
contributors  were  Joseph  Cross,  $102.61  ;  Neliemiali  Cummings, 
$200.20;  Zenas  Ware,  $34.61  ;  Hannah  Ware,  $25.00;  Enocli  Cum- 
mings, $200.00  ;  Hubbard  Williams,  $-100.00  ;  A.  W.  Baih-y,  $400.00  ; 
Elizabeth  M.  Williams,  SoO.OO  ;  J.  D.  Ware,  $300.00  ;  Sai)riua  Read, 
$6600.41  ;  Malinda  Sargent,  $200.00;  and  about  $100.00  was  contrib- 
uted l)y  some  person  or  i)ersons  previous  to  1833  of  which  there  is  no 
definite  record.  From  these  funds  $300  was  applied  towards  the 
purchase  of  the  parsonage  and  $550  was  lost  by  the  failure  of  the 
Ashuelot  Savings  Bank  to  pay  in  full  its  depositors. 

Meeting-houses. 

In  addition  to  what  has  already  been  stated  pertaining  to  locating 
and  building  a  meeting-house,  other  votes  were  subsequently  passed 
in  regard  to  its  construction.  Taxes  were  voted,  committees  chosen, 
timbers  prepared,  etc.,  but  for  some  reason  the  house  was  not  l)uilt 
until  the  return  of  the  inhabitants  after  having  been  driven  away  by 
the  Indians.  It  is  perhaps  doubtful  whether  it  was  entirely  completed 
before  it  was  damaged  by  the  huriicane  in  1765,  and  the  damages 
then  caused  were  not  wholly  repaired  till  1771.  It  was  built  on  the 
rock  or  ledge  just  west  of  where  Mr.  George  Carpenter  now  lives. 
It  was  50  by  40  feet  on  the  ground  and  22  feet  posts.  A  gallery  was 
on  three  sides,  a  row  of  pews  around  the  sides  of  the  house,  and  back 
of  the  body  seats  ;  and  likewise  a  row  around  in  the  galler3\ 

The  "pew  ground"  was  appraised  and  sold  at  auction,  and  each 
purchaser  was  required  to  build  his  own  pew  and  finish  up  the  walls 
adjacent  to  the  same.  This  building  was  used  as  a  church  buildin<i 
and  town  house  till  about  the  year  1796,  when  a  new  l)uil(ling  was 
erected  by  the  town.  There  is  no  record  when  it  was  abandoned, 
taken  down,  or  disposed  of,  but  it  probably  stood  and  was  used  sev- 
eral years  in   the   19th  century,  as  meetings  were  frequently  warned 


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ECCLESIASTICAL.  169 


to  be  held  at  the  old  meeting-house.  The  new  structure  was  built 
where  the  present  town-house  now  stands  : — in  fact  it  is  the  identical 
building  remodeled.  It  was  45  by  62  feet  on  the  ground,  two  sets  of 
windows,  one  above  the  other ;  three  doors,  one  each  on  the  east,  west 
and  south  sides ;  a  porch  at  the  east  and  west  ends.  The  towering 
belfty  and  steeple  with  its  lofty  spire  was  at  the  west  end.  The  huge 
gallery  extended  on  three  sides  of  the  house,  east,  west  and  south, 
containing  a  row  of  pews  next  the  walls  and  rows  of  long  seats  in 
front  for  the  singers.  The  pulpit  on  the  north  side  of  the  house — a 
large  box  with  door  to  enclose  the  minister — was  many  feet  above  the 
floor ;  and  above  this  on  the  wall  were  painted  representations  of 
seraphs  or  angelic  beings.  The  floor  was  covered  with  rows  of  old- 
fashioned  square  pews,  divided  by  broad  aisles. 

The  inside  of  the  churcli  was  never  painted.  There  was  no  bell  in 
the  belfry.  For  many  j-ears  it  contained  no  stove,  fireplace,  nor  any 
other  apparatus  for  heating,  except  foot-stoves  and  the  like  carried 
by  tlie  worshippers. 

*  In  1850  this  building  was  remodeled  into  the  present  town-house. 
It  was  cut  down  in  height,  made  a  one  story  building  ;  the  porches, 
belfry,  galler}',  pulpit  and  pews  were  removed  and  the  ante-rooms  con- 
structed as  they  now  appear.  For  many  years  the  use  of  this  build- 
ing vyas  claimed  in  part  both  by  the  Congregational  and  Universalist 
societies.  In  1836  the  former  society  relinquished  its  claim  and 
erected  the  brick  meeting-house  where  it  now  stands.  It  was  built  by 
contract  by  Mr.  Virgil  Woodcock  for  about  82, 000,  and  is  63  by  41 
feet  on  the  ground.  In  1868  internal  repairs  were  made  costing 
about  S600.  The  pulpit  platform  and  gallery  were  lowered,  the  arms 
and  railings  of  the  slips  were  changed  to  those  of  the  modern  style, 
and  the  whole  painted  and  grained.  In  1884  the  gallery  was  va- 
cated 1)}^  the  singers  and,  at  an  expense  of  about  $60,  a  platform  was 
erected  and  suitably  furnished  for  them  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
house  at  the  right  of  the  minister  in  the  pulpit.  Twenty-five  dollars 
of  this  amount  was  contributed  by  Mrs.  Lydia  Griggs.  In  1887  re- 
pairs were  again  made  at  an  expense  of  more  than  $200.  The  audience 
and  ante-rooms  were  mostly  re[)lastered,  painted,  etc.  The  pulpit 
desk  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Julia  A.  Ware,  the  chairs  and  stand  by 
Mrs.  Mary  A.  Parker,  the  table  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  H.  Fox,  and  the 
bible  and  hymn  book  for  the  pulpit,  in  1869,  by  Mr.  G.  F.  Lane,  and 
the  Sunday  School  oi'gan  by  Mr.  C.  M.  Lane.  The  gift  of  the  silver 
cup  by  Rev.  T.  Harrington  has  already  been  noticed.  Jan.  13,  1810, 
the  house  of  William  Wright,  containing  the  sacramental  vessels,  was 


170  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

burned.  A  part  of  these  vessels,  including  the  cup,  were  saved, 
somewhat  injured.  Tiiis  cup  was  repaired  and  has  been  in  use  until 
quite  recently.  The  cups  now  in  use  were  given  b3'Mrs.  J.  A.  Ware, 
and  the  baptismal  basin  in  1814  by  Miss  Hannah  Ware. 

In  1890  the  chapel  adjoining  the  church  was  built  at  an  expense  of 
about  $1,100  raised  by  voluntarj'^  subscription.  It  contains  a  lecture 
room,  ladies'  parlor  and  kitchen. 

Baptist  Church. 

Previous  to  the  year  1800  the  written  history'  of  the  Baptist  Church 
in  Swanzey  is  very  brief.  Wiiat  is  now  the  Baptist  Churcli  was 
formed  in  the  year  1792,  composed  of  about  twenty-five  members, 
prominent  among  whom  (as  near  as  can  be  ascertained)  were  Arad 
Hall,  Shubael  Seaver,  Wni.  McCullor,  Paddock  Lawrence,  Nathan 
Cross,  Phinehas  Ilamblet,  Jotham  Eames,  Elisha  Gunn,  Nathaniel 
Hills  and  Jonathan  Metcalf,  residing  in  Keene,  Winchester  and  Swan- 
zey and  called  the  Baptist  Church  of  "  Swanzey  and  Winchester." 

The  first  meeting  of  the  church,  on  record,  was  held  at  the  "Corner 
School  House,"  near  where  Benjamin  C".  Snow  resides,  on  tlie  18tb 
of  April,  1800,  and  opened  by  prayer,  but  the  names  of  thfe  moderator 
and  clerk  do  not  appear  on  record,  Sept.  14,  1801,  the  church  met  at 
the  house  of  Shubael  Seaver  where  Silas  R.  Marcy  now  resides  ;  tlie 
meeting  was  opened  by  prayer,  and  Polder  Nathaniel  Bowles  was  cho- 
sen moderator. 

Nov.  18,  1802.  The  church  met  for  business  and  chose  Bro.  Enoch 
Stowell,  moderator.  Gave  Brother  Stowell  a  letter  of  license  to  im- 
prove his  gift  in  Zion. 

Oct.  13, 1803.  The  church  united  with  the  Le^-den  Baptist  Associa- 
tion at  Guilford,  Mass. 

Feb.  10,  1804.  Benjamin  Wilson  conveyed  to  the  church  b}'  deed 
of  warranty,  the  south  half  of  an  acre  of  land  which  he  bought  of 
Salmon  Richardson  A[)ril  15,  1797,  and  which  was  apart  of  the  "Old 
Mill  Farm"  formerly  owned  b}'  James  Heaton. 

May  15,  1805.  An  annex  to  said  land  was  conve3'ed  to  the  church 
by  deed  of  Richard  Stratton,  making  in  all  about  one  acre. 

In  the  year  1804  the  meeting-house  was  erected,  standing  length- 
wise north  and  south,  thirty-six  feet  in  width  b}'  sixty  feet  in  length, 
with  a  porch  on  each  end,  a  galler}'  on  the  two  ends  and  a  gallery  on 
the  east  side  —  box  pews  on  the  floor  and  a  line  of  pews  on  the  walls 
in  tlie  rear  of  the  gallery — the  seats  of  the  pews  were  hung  with  hinges 
and  by  custom  were  raised  during  the  time  of  pra^'er,  and  the  "Amen" 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  171 

was  tlie  signal  for  the  falling  of  the  seats,  causing  a  clattering  some- 
what like  that  of  heav}'  musketr}'. 

June  20,  1804.  The  church  became  a  body  politic  by  an  act  of  the 
legislature. 

April  1,  1805.  Tlie  church  voted  to  raise  $160  to  pay  for  building  the 
meeting-house,  also  to  raise  $150  b}'  assessment,  if  necessary.  Voted 
to  hire  Dea.  Wm.  McCullor  to  preach  for  one  year  for  one  hundred 
dollars,  after  which  he  preached  during  the  years  of  1806,  1807  and 
1808. 

Oct.  5,  1805.  Deacon  McCullor,  Pliinehas  Harablet  and  Arad  Hall 
represented  the  church  to  the  Leyden  Baptist  Association  in  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Dec.  14,  1805.  At  a  meeting  of  the  church  to  consider  the  subject 
of  ordaining  Dea.  Wm.  McCullor  as  a  gospel  minister,  the  following 
quaint  phraseology  of  a  vote  occurs,  copied  verbatim  : 

"  2'y  Voted  to  Call  on  Dea"  M'^Cullur  to  know  whether  he  would 
Submit  to  ordanation  dea"  MC.  Cullar  being  Called  upon  after  mak- 
ing Some  Solemn  observations  and  observing  that  as  he  had  the  mat- 
ter for  a  considearabel  time  under  serious  considertion  he  should  an- 
swer in  the  affermative." 

Feb.  12,  1806.  Tlie  church,  by  advice  of  council  composed  of  the 
following  elders  and  delegates,  ordained  Dea.  "Wm.  McCullor  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry. 

From  Westmo'-eland — Elder  Ebenezer  Baily  and  Samuel  Robbins. 

From  Templeton — Elder  Elisha  Andrews,  Daniel  Norcross  and 
Samuel  Symonds. 

From  Alstcad — Elder  Jeremiah  Higbee,  Oliver  Shepherd  and  Moses 
Hale. 

From  Dublin — Elder  Elijah  Willard,  Elias  Hemraingway  and  Wil- 
liam Banks. 

From  Richmond — Elder  Nathaniel  Bowles  and  Amos  Gurnse^'. 

From  Andover,  Mass. — Sanuiel  Manning  and  Joel  Manning. 

February  9,  1807.     Nathaniel  Hills  died,  aged  79  years. 

April  30,  1809.  Voted  to  release  Dea.  Arad  Hall,  at  his  request, 
as  deacon  and  chose  in  his  stead  Bro.  Nathan  Cross. 

May  21,  1809.  The  church  voted  to  give  Dea.  Arad  Hall  a  letter 
of  license  to  improve  his  gift  in  preaching. 

The  church,  at  her  request  Oct.  26,  1809,  was  dismissed  from  the 
Leyden  Baptist  Association  and  united  with  the  Dublin  Baptist  As- 
sociation held  at  Greenfield,  N.  H.,  represented  by  Deacon  Nathan 
Cross  and  Jonathan  Bailey  as  delegates  thereto,  at  which  the  name 


172  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

was  changed  from  "  Swanzey  and  Winchester,"  to  "  Swanzey" 
churcli. 

Ma}'  10,  1810.  Deacon  Nathan  Cross  was  chosen  leader  for  all 
relisJiious  meetings  for  time  indefinite. 

June  6,  1810.  Thomas  Crisson  united  witli  the  church  by  baptism, 
following  which,  June  13,  1810,  Jonathan  Bailey,  also,  and  Octol)er 
21,  1810,  Joseph  Hammond  became  members  of  the  church  by  baptism. 

January  3,  1812.  Died  Sister  Lydia  Crouch,  wife  of  Amos  Crouch, 
of  Chesterfield,  being  the  first  recorded  death  in  the  churcii. 

February  —  1812.  Granted  a  letter  of  dismission  to  brother 
Thomas  Crisson.  Membership  of  the  church  at  this  time  was  eighty- 
one. 

April  2,  1812.  Joseph  Hammond  was  chosen  deacon,  and  on  April 
13,  1812,  was  chosen  church  clerk. 

November  4,  1812,  Brother  Levi  Dunham  was  ordained  as  a  gos- 
pel minister;  Elder  Joseph  Elliot  preached  the  sermon  ;  lOlder  Charles 
Cummings  made  the  consecrating  prayer;  Elijah  Willard  gave  the 
charge  to  the  candidate  and  Elder  Joseph  Elliot  gave  the  hand  of  fel- 
lowship. 

In  the  year  1814  the  outside  of  the  meeting-house  was  finished  at 
the  expense  of  about  four  hundred  dollars. 

September  9,  1816.  At  the  request  of  Jonathan  Metcalf  and  others, 
the  church  chose  Elder  Levi  Dunham,  Dea.  Nathan  Cross,  Joseph 
Slate,  Dea.  Joseph  Hammond  and  Jonathan  Bailey  to  assist  in  form- 
ing a  Baptist  Church  in  Ash  Swamp. 

February  27,  1817.  Received  Elder  Nathaniel  Bowles  and  his  wife, 
Thankful,  by  letter  from  the  church  in  Bethlehem. 

May,  1819.  A  letter  of  dismission  was  granted  to  Elder  Levi  Dun- 
ham to  unite  with  the  Baptist  Church  in  Dummerston,  Vt. 

July  12,  1819.  Elder  Peter  Rogers  was  received  by  letter  from  the 
church  in  Bernardston,  Mass. 

March  18,  1820.  The  church  raised  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
to  finish  the  inside  of  the  meeting-house,  and  for  that  purpose  chose 
Rufus  Read,  Benjamin  Hannnond  and  Jotham  frames. 

Sept.  IG,  1820.  Bro.  Jotham  Fames  was  chosen  clerk  of  the 
church. 

January  23,  1823.  The  church  voted  to  employ  Dea.  Tristan  Al- 
drich  to  supply  the  pulpit  for  time  indefinite. 

June  12,  1823.  Dea.  Tristan  Aldrich  was  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  gospel  ministry,  by  the  church,  with  the  advice  of  council  from  the 
churches  by  their  delegates  from  the  towns  following : 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  173 

From  Leverett — Dea.  Isaac  "Woodbury  and  Nathan  Riplej''. 

From  Wendell — Elder  Daniel  Goddard  and  Dea.  Elislia  Osgood. 

From  New  Salem — Elder  Asa  Niles,  J.  Hemmingwaj-,  S.  Cham- 
berlain and  Dea.  Farwell  Thomas. 

From  Chesterfield — Elder  Levi  Dunham  and  Dea.  Asa  Thompson. 

From  RoyalsLon — Elder  Joseph  M.  Graves,  James  Kelton  and 
James  Forri stall. 

From  Dublin — Elder  Charles  Cummings. 

June  19,  1823.     B}'  advice  of  council,  the  church  withdrew  the  hand 
of  church  fellowship  from  Polder  Peter  Rogers,  Elder  Nathaniel  Bowles 
and  about  a  dozen  other  members   of  the   church   for  violation  of. 
church  covenant  and  gave  each  a  letter  of  exclusion  ;  the  withdrawal 
of  the  hand  of  fellowship  publicly  proclaimed  in  the  pulpit. 

Tiie  control  of  the  meeting-house,  obtained  by  the  excluded  mem- 
bers and  other  members  of  the  society,  obliged  the  church  to  worship 
many  years,  altei-uately,  at  a  dwelling  house  where  Darius  E.  Wright 
now  resides  and  at  the  dwelling-house  now  owned  by  Marshall  P. 
Rixford  in  Westport. 

1832.  The  church  voted  to  grant  Brother  Caleb  Sawyer  a  license 
to  improve  his  gift  in  preaching. 

Feb.  — ,  1832.  The  church  granted  a  letter  of  dismission  to  Elder 
Tristan  Aldrich  from  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church,  and  in  1833  re- 
newed the  license  of  Dea.  Jonathan  Baile^'  to  preach  the  gospel. 

March  16,  1835.  The  church  employed  Elder  John  Woodbury  who 
was  pastor  two  years  when  the  church,  at  his  request,  granted  him 
a  letter  of  dismission. 

Jan.  30,  1837.  Emplo3'ed  Dea.  Jonathan  Bailey  to  preach  for  a 
a  time  indefinite. 

Aug.  1,  1837.     The  church  employed  Rev.  Frederic  Page. 

March  5,   1838.     Brother  Caleb  Sawyer  was  chosen  church  clerk. 

March  24,  1839.  Rev.  Frederic  Page  made  a  public  confession  of 
a  sin  of  which  he  was  guilty  and  surrendered  his  ministerial  creden- 
tials. 

April  20,  1839.  Rev.  Charles  Cummings  from  Marlboro  became 
pastor  of  the  church  and  labored  about  two  years  when  he  was  fol- 
lowed by  Rev.  Henry  Tonkin,  May  1,  1841.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  David  P.  French  Jan.  3,  1842. 

January  26,  1842.  Died,  Dea.  Natlian  Cross. 

December  2,  1843.  Died,  Elder  Nathaniel  Bowles. 

Aug.  11,  1843.  Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  was  chosen  church  clerk. 

Aug.  19,  1843.  At  the  request  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Nelson,  the 


174  HISTORY   OF   SAVANZEY. 

church  sent  Revs.  David  P.  French  and  Tristan  Aldrich  and  Dea.  Jo- 
se[)li  Hammond  as  delegates  to  sit  in  council  with  the  view  of  ordain- 
ing Bro.  Caleb  Sawyer  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministr}'. 

In  the  3'ear  1843  the  church  made  extensive  alterations  in  the  meet- 
ing house  by  removing  the  box  pews  and  placing  slips  therein. 

Aug.  28,  1844.  Died,  Bro.  Rufus  Read. 

December  5,  1844.  Bro.  Asa  Withington  received  a  license  to 
preach. 

Sept.  3,  1845.    The  membership  of  the  church  was  182. 

Dec.  22,  1845.  Died,  Bro.  Nathaniel  Hills. 

June  19,  1847.  Rev.  David  G.  Mason  became  successor  to  Rev. 
David  P.  French  as  pastor. 

Oct.  4,  1849.  Brethren  Martin  Thompson  and  John  A.  Ilamblet 
were  chosen  deacons.  Dea.  Joseph  Hammond  and  Dea.  Jonathan 
Baile}^  being  excused  by  their  request  from  further  oflicial  labor. 

March  11,  1850.  Died,  Bro.  Jotham  Fames,  jr.,  aged  56  3'ears. 

In  the  3'ear  1851  the  church  purchased  of  John  Stratton  one-half 
of  an  acre  of  land  bounded  on  the  east  by  R.  R.  street,  about  eight 
rods  and  on  the  north  about  ten  rods  by^Maple  street,  upon  which  was 
erected  a  parsonage,  by  a  committee  consisting  of  Martin  Thompson, 
Solon  W.  Snow  and  Rev.  David  G.  Mason,  by  funds  largcl}'  raised 
by  voluntary'  contribution  b}^  Rev.  David  G.  Mason,  who  being  a  car- 
penter by  trade,  built  the  barn  with  some  needful  assistance,  and  af- 
ter the  completion  of  the  parsonage,  it  was,  occupied  b^'  him  during 
the  remainder  of  his  pastorate  when,  in  1855,  on  account  of  failing 
health,  he  resigned  the  pastoral  charge  in  the  church  and  removed  to 
Keene.  p^mployed  Rev.  Tristan  Aldrich  for  time  indefinite.  Aug. 
31,  1856,  Rev.  Rufus  Smith  became  his  successor  and  pastor  of  the 
chui'ch  until  Feb.  19,  1859.  At  his  request  he  was  granted  a  letter 
of  dismission  and  returned  to  the  state  of  Vermont.  Feb.  23,  1857, 
died,  Dea.  Jonathan  Baile\-,  aged  68  yrs. 

Dec.  11,  1859.  Rev.  James  W.  Searll  began  his  miiiisteriallabors. 
April  24,  1861,  died,  Dea.  Joseph  Hammond,  aged  79  years.  Died 
Dec.  19,  1863,  Sister  Sarah  Draper  of  Chesterfield,  aged  101  3'ears, 
5  months,  16  days. 

April  30,  1863.  Phinehas  A.  Ware  was  chosen  clerk  of  the  church 
to  fill  the  vacanc3'  caused  by  the  removal  of  Joseph  Hammond  to 
Keene. 

October  13,  1865.  Ziba  Ware  was  chosen  deacon  and  successor  to 
Dea.  Martin  Thompson. 

December  1,  1868.     Rev.  D.  S.  Hawle3',  in  the  ministr3',  succeeded 


ECCLESIASTICAL .  175 

Rev.  James  W.  Searll,  and  by  agreement  between  pastor  and  church 
his  labors,  Aug.  26,  1869,  were  to  close  three  months  after  date. 

September  9,  1869.  A  council  of  the  church  was  called  to  consider 
and  advise  regarding  certain  grave  charges  relating  to  his  domestic 
affairs,  consisting  of  pastors  and  delegates  from  the  following  church- 
es :  Dublin,  Keene,  Troy,  Fitzwilliam  and  East  Jaffrey,  who  formed 
themselves  into  a  council  by  choosing  Rev.  E.  J.  Emer^',  moderator, 
and  Rev.  A.  V.  Tilton,  clerk. 

January  6,  1870.  The  church,  at  a  meeting  held  at  their  house  of 
worship,  in  harmony  with  the  advice  of  council  and  for  reasons  there- 
in sutficiently  stated  and  read  before  the  meeting,  voted  unanimously, 
hereby,  to  declare  as,  in  our  judgment,  unfit  for  the  ministry  and  to 
exclude  from  our  church  fellowship  our  brother  and  late  pastor  Dan- 
iel 8.  Hawley. 

Charles  Ball,  Moderator. 
Joseph  Hammond,  Clerk. 

Februar}'  5,  1870.  Received  by  letter  from  the  church  in  Troy,  Rev. 
S.  A.  Blake  who  became  minister  and  pastor. 

Dec.  31,  1871.     Died  Rev.  Tristan  Aldrich,  aged  89  years. 

Feb.,  1873.  Rev.  Enville  J.  Emery  of  East  Jaffrey  followed  Rev. 
S.  A.  Blake  in  the  ministry  and  in  the  same  year  April  26,  the  church 
chose  Joseph  Hammond,  Phinehas  II.  Snow  and  Obadiah  Sprague  a 
committee  to  remodel  and  repair  the  meeting-house  which,  when  com- 
pleted, was  in  June,  1874,  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  in  the  us- 
ual form  and  manner,  as  it  uo\v  is. 

September  1,  1876.  Died,  Sister  Betsey  Aldrich,  widow  of  Rev. 
Tristan  Aldrich,  deceased. 

January  12,  1877.  Membership  of  the  church  was  94. 

January  11,  1879.  Died  Sister  Calista  Hamblet,  aged  69,  wife  of 
Dea.  John  A.  Hamblet. 

Possibly,  some  individuals  of  future  generations  may  be  interested 
to  know  when  and  by  whom  the  shade  trees  standing  on  the  eastern 
arc,  girting  in  part  the  enclosed  ground  on  which  the  meeting-house 
stands,  were  set. 

May,  1880.  At  the  southeast  entrance  of  the  enclosure,  at  the  right, 
stands  : 

No.  1,  an  elm  tree,  set  by  Joseph  Hammond  ;  No.  2,  a  rock  maple 
tree,  set  by  Joel  Hammond  ;  No.  3,  an  elm  tree,  set  by  Rev.  Enville 
J.  Emery  ;  No.  4,  a  rock  maple  set  by  C.  C.  Brooks ;  No.  5,  an  elm 
tree  set  by  Charles  Ball ;  No.  6,  a  rock  maple  set  by  Mrs.  Melissa 


176  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Emer}^ ;  No.  7,  an  elm  tree  set  l\y  Webster  D.  Derby ;  No.  8,  a  rock 
maple  set  by  Abraham  Hill;  No.  9,  an  elm  tree  set  by  Mrs.  Mary 
L.  "Wilson  ;  No.  10,  a  rock  maple  set  b}'  Pbinehas  H.  Snow  ;  No.  11, 
a  rock  maple  set  by  Solon  W.  Snow  and  stands  at  the  right  of  the 
northeast  entrance;  No.  12,  an  elm  tree  set  by  Asa  S.  Kendall. 

November  30,  1882.  George  W.  Brooks  was  chosen  clerk  of  the 
church. 

May  29,  1883.  Rev.  S.  G.  Abbott  of  Hinsdale  by  invitation  of  the 
church  to  become  their  under  Shepherd,  accepted  the  same  and  en- 
tered upon  his  ministerial  labor  July  1,  1883. 

Aug.  4,  1883.  A  letter  of  dismission  was  granted  to  Rev.  Enville 
J.  Emery  to  unite  with  the  church  at  Greenville,  N.  H. 

Feb.  11,  1884.  Died,  sister  Ardelia  C.  Hammond,  aged  59,  wife  of 
Joseph  Hammond. 

Januar}'  21,  1885.  Died,  brother  Joel  Hammond,  aged  73. 

George  W.  Brooks,  clerk  of  the  church,  died  October  4,  188G.  Jo- 
seph Hammond  chosen  clerk  April  5,  188G. 

Ill  1889,  H.  Denman  Thompson,  through  his  benevolence,  donated 
and  conveyed  to  the  church  about  half  an  ficre  of  land  lying  west  of 
and  adjoining  the  church  land,  being  a  portion  of  the  ''Old  Tannery 
Lot,"  upon  the  condition  that  the  church  should  remove  the  horse- 
sheds  west  to  the  west  line  of  land  thus  conve3'ed  bj^  deed. 

Early  in  1890  the  church  sold  their  parsonage  to  H.  Denman 
Thompson  for  $2000. 

April,  1890.  Joseph  Hammond  resigned  the  office  of  church  clerk 
and  Daniel  Snow  was  chosen  to  fdl  the  vacanc\'. 

Rev.  Stephen  G.  Abbott  resigned  the  pastorate -iMay  1,  1890,  and 
removed  to  Keene.  The  church  chose  a  committee  consisting  of  Nor- 
ris  C.  Carter,  as  contractor,  and  Ziba  Ware,  P.  Atwood  Ware,  Dan- 
iel Snow  and  Solon  W.  Snow  as  advisor}' members,  who  during  the 
season  contracted  and  erected  a  new  parsonage  south  of  their  house 
of  worship. 

The  membership  of  the  church  at  this  date,  Jan.  1,  1890,  is  eighty- 
five,  eighteen  of  whom  united  with  the  church  more  than  fifty  years 
ago.  Clarissa  (Sawyer)  Woodcock  became  a  member  December, 
1824,  and  lias  retained  her  relation  therein  more  than  sixtv-six  years. 

Kezia  IM.  P^ames  united  with  the  church  Sept.  12,  1819,  having 
been  a  member  more  than  seventy-one  years. 

Rev.  C.  F.  Clarke  came  here  June,  1890,  and  is  pastor  at  the  pres- 
ent time. 


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ECCLESIASTICAL.  177 

Formation  of  the  Sunday  School  connected  with  the  Baptist  Church 

in  Swanzey. 
When  the  Baptist  Church  in  Swanzey  worshipped  in  their  parson- 
age wliich  stood  on  the  spot  wliereon  now  stands  the  residence  of  Da- 
rius E.  Wright,  Sunday  School  instruction  in  bible  truths  was  deemed 
of  so  great  importance  to  the  rising  generation  and  the  growth  and 
prosperity  of  the  church  that  in  1827  a  constitution  was  framed  and 
adopted  for  their  guide  in  action  by  the  leading  members  of  the 
church.     No  record  of  1828. 

3f embers  of  the  Society  in  1829. 
Bible  class. — Joseph  Hammond,  Jonathan  Bailey,  Jotham  Eames, 
Jotham  Eames,  jr.,  James  Olcott,  William  G.  Eames,  Joshua  Snow, 
Rufus  Read,  Silas  Parsons,  Esther  Stearns,  Lucina  Olcott,  Polly  Gunn, 
William  Clark,  Maria  Howard,  Sarah  Field,  Martin  Stone,  Amos 
Crouch,  Nathaniel  Thompson,  Paddock  Lawrence,  Caleb  Sawyer, 
Nathan  Cross,  .Joshua  Sawyer,  Joseph  Slate,  Mary  Ockington,  Kezia 
M.  Eames,  Lucy  Cross,  Eusebia  Eames. 

NAMES    OF    SCHOLARS    IN    1834. 

First  class. — Joseph  Slate,  Rufus  Read,  Jotham  Eames,  John 
Crouch,  Phinehas  Hamblet,  John  Crouch,  jr.,  John  Withington,  John 
Chamberlain,  Joshua  Sawyer,  Martin  Tliompson,  Martin  Stone,  Peter 
Holbrook,  Joshua  Snow,  John  Grimes,  Moses  Thayer,  Jonas  Temple, 
James  Olcott,  Samuel  Holbrook.     Dea.  Jonathan  Baile3',  Teacher. 

Second  class. — Rachel  Estabrook,  Sarah  Ware,  Kezia  Read,  M.  N. 
Carlton,  Mrs.  John  Chamberlain,  Mrs.  Jonas  Temple,  Mary  Hill, 
Polly  Holbrook,  Lucina  Sawyer,  Hannah  Sawyer,  Kezia  M.  ICames, 
Lucy  Cross,  Mrs.  Day,  Abigad  Crouch,  Betsey  Stone,  Mary  Thayer, 
Olive  Crossett,  Pannelia  Howard,  Almira  Albee,  Sarah  Cummings, 
Mrs.  AVhittemore,  Abigail  Amidon,  Emily  Bolles,  Cynthia  Sawyer. 
Dea.  Joseph  Hammond,  Teacher. 

Third  class. — Virgil  AVoodcock,  Elisha  Hutchins,  Harrison  Eve- 
leth,  Ziba  Ware,  Franklin  Holman,  William  Clark,  Alexander  Thayer, 
Benjamin  F.  Lombard.     Rev.  John  Woodbury,  Teacher. 

Fourth  class. — Delia  A.  Day,  Sarah  Day,  Permelia  Howard,  2d, 
Lucretia  Howard,  Arvilla  Bailey,  Eunice  Snow,  Julia  Annie  Snow, 
Phebe  Snow,  Lucy  Read,  Eliza  Olcott,  Hester  Clark,  Julina  Snow, 
Nancy  S.  Chamberlain,  Priscilla  Thayer,  Olive  Holbrook,  Louisa 
Crossett,  Betsey  Aldrich,  Louisa  Taft,  Azuba  Cross,  Maria  Aldrich, 
Hannah  Cross,  Caroline  Cummings.  Mrs.  John  Woodbur^^,  Teacher. 
12 


178  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Fifth  clans. — "Betse}'  Ilaramoml,  Laura  Da}',  Estina  Edwards,  Eliza 
Ann  Thayer,  Mary  Olcott.     Mrs.  P^veletli,  Teacher. 

Sixth  class. — Azuba  Hammond,  Sarah  Bailey,  Lovisa  Bailc}',  Lucy 
Eanies,  Almira  Albee,  Cliloe  Holbrook,  Sally  Stone,  Annis  Snow, 
Martha  Louisa  Hill,  Rhoda  Lawrence,  Harriet  Ware.  P^usebia  Eames, 
Teacher, 

Seventh  class. — Ilein-y  Holl)rook,  Daniel  Snow,  Solon  AV.  Snow, 
Phinehas  A.  Ware,  David  Karnes,  Robert  Crossett,  Morril  Hammond, 
Daniel  Hammond,  Wilder  Cross,  Clark  Bailey,  Benjamin  Hammond, 
jr.     Jotham  Eames,  jr..  Teacher. 

Eighth  class. — Calista  Coburn,  Sarah  Tliompson,  Caroline  Thomp- 
son, Kezia  Thayer,  Mary  Thayer,  Esther  M.  Stearns,  Eliza  Albee, 
Louisa  Howard.     Delia  Day,  Teacher. 

Ninth  class. — Nanc^'  Eames,  Rebecca  Bailc}',  Kezia  Eames,  Julia 

Ann  Crossett,  Cynthia  Sawyer,  A.  jMelissa  Albee.    Miss I'lige^ 

Teacher. 

Tenth  class. — Francis  Crouch,  Jonas  Temple,  jr.,  Charles  Temple, 
James  C.  Eames,  Charles  S.  Whitcomb,  Phinehas  H.  Snow,  John 
Woodbur}',  jr.    William  Calkins,  Teaclier.^ 

Eleventh  class. — Wesle}'  Cross,  Joseph  Ware,  Jndson  A.  Read, 
Ahaz  E.  Howard,  Daniel  Cummings.     Martin  Thompson,  Teacher. 

SUPKRINTENDENTS. 

Rev.  Tristan  Aldrich,  1829-1832;  Joseph  Slate,  1833;  Rev.  John 
Woodbury,  1834;  B.  H.  Carlton,  1835;  No  record,  1836;  Martin 
Thompson,  1837;  John  Chamberlain,  1838-1839;  No  record,  1840; 
Caleb  Sawyer,  1841-1842;  Rev.  D.  P.  French,  1843;  Dea.  Jonathan 
Bailey,  1844;  Elisha  Hutchins,  1845;  Martin  Thompson,  1846; 
Joseph  ILammond,  jr.,  1847;  Rev.  Tristan  Aldrich,  1848;  Henry  P. 
Read,  1849;  Clark  Bailey,  1850;  Henry  Holbrook,  1851;  Dea.  M. 
Thompson,  1852;  Simeon  B.  Nelson,  1853-1854;  Henry  Holbrook, 
1855  ;  Simeon  B.  Nelson,  1856  ;  Dea.  John  A.  Hamblet,  1857-1858  ; 
Solon  W.  Snow,  1859-1864;  Phinehas  A.  Ware,  1865-1868;  Ardelia 
C.  Hammond,  1869  ;  Charles  L.  Ball,  1870-1871  ;  Joseph  Hammond, 
1872-1882;  George  W.  Brooks,  1883-1885  ;  Rev.  Stephen  G.  Ab- 
bott, 1887-1889;  Edward  H.  Snow,  1890. 

NAMES    OF    SUNDAY    SCHOOLS    SCHOLARS,    1890. 

First  class. — Lillian  Carter,  Irma  Rich,  Blanche  Bullard,  Bertha 
Bullard,  Ressie  Bullard,  Cressie  Eames,  Mary  Sprague,  Olive  Clark, 
Phebe   Beal,  Frank    Derby,    Leslie   Snow,    IMyron   Hardy,    ClilFord 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  179 

McClenning,  Clifton  Eames,  George  Dolby,  Lee  Burke.  Alice  Spar- 
hawk,  Teacher. 

Second  class. — Josie  Conbo}',  Alice  Iredale,  Mamie  Conboy,  Ber- 
tha Sprague,  May  Clark,  Lillian  Emery,  Pearl  Dickinson,  Mabel 
Prime,  Lela  Evans,  Nellie  Dolby,  Venie  Dolby,  Addie  Emer}-,  Gracie 
Russell,  Mary  Bullard,  Emma  Gamasli,  Mamie  Atkinson,  Roy  East- 
man, Eddie  Clark,  Sanford  Hardy,  Fred  Parker,  Walter  McClenning, 
Joseph  Pageot,  Eddie  Fletcher,  Georgie  Russell,  Ernest  Snow,  John 
Bullard,  John  Conboy.     Mrs.  W.  F.  Oakman,  Teacher. 

Tliird  class  — Lizzie  N.  Snow,  Lizzie  Read,  Lelia  Read,  Edna 
Ware,  Lillian  Iredale,  Lottie  Seaver,  Cora  Sisson,  Marion  E.  Ham- 
mond, Elsie  Bemis,  Grace  Beal.     Mrs.  Sarah  Snow,  Teacher. 

Fourth  class. —  Harriet  Chamberlain,  Sarah  E.  Read,  Fannie  M. 
Snow,  Mar}^  L.  Ball,  Martha  A.  Sparhawk,  Eunice  W.  Stanle}',  Phebe 
R.  Hewes,  Almira  J,  Fox,  Elmira  T.  Crouch,  Belle  R.  Angler,  Sarah 
Drai)er,  E.  Jennie  Cutler,  Kezia  Eames,  Martha  E.  Sprague,  Phebe 
A.  Bliss.     Mrs.  P.  Atwood  Ware,  Teacher. 

Fifth  class. — Mary  F.  Snow,  Susie  H.  Sargent,  Mary  T.  Carter, 
Nancy  A.  Carter,  Mary  L.  Handy,  Annette  H.  Derby,  Anna  L.  Hol- 
brook,  Cora  J.  Lovering,  Luella  M.  Sawyer,  Annette  Hewes,  Emma 
Eastman,  Julia  pj.  Emery.     Mrs.  A.  Melissa  Stearns,  Teacher. 

Sixth  class. — Charles  L.  Ball,  Luman  B.  Crouch,  Henry  P.  Read, 
Phinehas  A.  AVare,  Henry  Holbrook,  Solon  W.  Snow,  Ziha  Ware, 
Harve}'  Sargent,  Joseph  Pageot,  Joseph  Hammond.  Webster  D. 
Derb}",  Teacher. 

Seventh  class. — Norris  C.  Carter,  Amos  Beal,  Lester  Towne,  Her- 
bert Chamberlain,  Herbert  Carter,  Albert  Hardy,  James  E.  Hand}', 
Walter  F.  Oakman,  Ansel  Bourn,  Frank  S.  Faulkner,  Ervin  Bullard, 
Frank  L,  Snow,  James  Ware,  Daniel  Snow.  Rev.  C.  F.  Clark, 
Teacher. 

Eighth  class. — Harr}'  Iredale,  Harlan  Hard}',  Arthur  Kirkpatrick, 
Bert  Emery,  Willie  Gamash,  Ivo  Beal.     Henry  Derby,  Teacher. 

Ninth  class. — Arthur  Ware,  Frank  Emery,  Pldgar  P^mery,  Fred 
Clark,  Herbert  Kingman,  Robert  Hammill,  Joseph  Hammill,  Ernest 
Barrett,  Herbert  Carter,  jr.,  Charles  Crouch,  George  Crouch,  George 
Wright,  Fred  Richardson,  George  Derby,  Charles  Derb}',  Edward 
Bourn,  Oscar  Bourn,  Myron  Prentiss,  Charles  Hewes,  Edward  Be- 
mis, Alice  Bliss,  Minnie  Wright,  Lilla  Parsons,  Florence  (Carter) 
Emery,  Emily  Holbrook,  Maud  Evans,  Nellie  Clark,  Lula  Richard- 
son, Sarah  Dolby,  Winfred  Kingman,  Mattie  Kingman,  Josie  Paige, 
Jessie  Paige,  Christie  Calkins,  Annie  Capron.  Mrs.  Julia  E.  Snow, 
Teacher. 


180  HISTORY    OF   SAVANZEY. 


History  of  the  Mkthodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Swanzey. 

Viirious  attempts  have  been  made  by  the  earl}''  itinerant  to  establish 
Methodist  preaching  in  Swanzey,  but  all  efforts  proved  unavailing. 
About  1840  efforts  were  again  made  to  establish  preaching  at  Swanzey 
Factory  and  East  Swanzey  with  but  little  success,  although  a  class 
was  formed  at  the  latter  place  and  connected  with  the  Keene  charge. 
In  the  fall  and  winter  of  1860,  religious  services  were  held  in  the 
school-house  at  Westport  by  Rev.  T.  L.  Fowler  attended  with  some 
interest.  In  18G7,  Mr.  Fowler  held  Sunday  service  in  Bartlett's  Hall 
at  Westport  which  was  continued  for  three  j'ears,  with  so  little  suc- 
cess that  it  did  not  seem  advisable  to  form  a  class,  or  take  measures 
to  organize  a  church,  and  preaching,  at  that  time,  was  abandoned. 
In  April,  1877,  Mr.  Fowler  was  employed  to  preach  at  West  Swanzey 
and  Westport  on  alternate  Sundays  in  the  Universalist  meeting  house, 
so  generously  tendered  b}'^  the  people  of  West  Swanzey  until  the  last 
Sundav  in  October  after  which  the  meelinus  were  held  in  the  school- 
house  in  Westport  and  the  third  service  was  held  in  the  school-house 
in  District  No.  8  on  Maple  Hill. 

As  a  result  of  these  labors  more  than  twenty  persons  made  a  profes- 
sion of  faith,  and  on  the  19th  da}' of  September,  1877,  a  class  was  formed 
and  on  July  3,  1878,  a  church  was  formed  in  accordance  with  the  us- 
ages of  the  M.  E.  church  by  the  officiating  pastor,  composed  of  the 
following  members :  Alexander  Cuthbert,  Nelson  R.  Cuthbert,  Lucy 
J.  Smith,  Lizzie  Faulkner,  Elmma  A.  Faulkner,  Israel  H.  Gunn,  L^nlia 
M.  Gunn,  Sarah  Read,  Anna  L.  Read,  Sarah  B.  Stephenson,  Mary 
L.  Holbrook,  Jennie  M.  Holbrook,Mary  J.  Holbrook,  Fannie  E.  Hol- 
brook,  Emogene  E.  McClenning,  Lucy  C.  Lakin,  Nelson  Collier  and 
Susan  Johnson. 

The  first  report  to  the  N.  H.  Annual  Conference  was  submitted  by 
Rev.  T.  L.  Fowler  April  9,  1879,  at  Plymouth,  George  J.  Judkins, 
presiding  elder.  Statistics:  number  on  probation,  12;  members  in 
full  connection,  18;  number  of  baptisms,  11;  one  Sunday  vScliool : 
teachers  and  officers,  8  ;  scholars,  34.  Mr.  Fowler  was  appointed  by 
the  conference  to  supply  for  the  ensuing  year  ending  April  7,  1880. 

During  the  year  a  good  degree  of  interest  was  manifested,  but  no 
addition  to  the  church.  Sunday  School  numbered  40  ;  average  attend- 
ance 32. 

During  the  \'ear  1881  the  church  was  without  a  pastor,  but  by  a  per- 
severing effort  of  the  members  the  Sunda}'  School  and  social  meetings 
were  sustained.  At  some  period  in  the  year  the  Rev.  George  A.  Tyrrell 
was  secured  as  pastor,  and  was  appointed  the  following  year  as  supply. 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  181 

During  the  year  1881  the  church  was  equipped  with  a  full  board  of  offi- 
cers and  committees,  and  placed  in  good  working  order  and  was  again 
supplied  by  Rev.  George  A.  Tyrrell  up  to  April,  1883.  From  Oct.  9, 
1882  to  May  25,  1885,  there  are  no  records  to  be  found.  From  Sept. 
20,  1885,  Rev.  S.  C.  Keeler  of  Keene  held  one  service  on  Sunday  for 
a  time.  The  first  quarterly  conference  ending  April,  1887,  reports 
the  pulpit  supplied  by  Rev.  C.  W.  Dockerill  and  Rev.  C.  J.  Chase  on 
alternate  Sundays.  At  this  meeting  Luman  J.  Crouch  and  Arthur 
B.  Davison  were  appointed  a  committee  to  agitate  the  subject  of 
building  a  chapel. 

At  the  fourth  quarterly  conference  held  Oct.  8,  1886,  voted  to  ac- 
cept the  report  of  the  committee  which  was  that  the  sum  of  $1232.70 
had  been  raised  and  a  chapel  was  erected  and  furnished  :  all  this  was 
done  by  a  persevering  effort  on  the  part  of  pastor  and  people  aided  by 
friends  of  AVesti)ort  and  those  who  loved  the  prosperity  of  Zion  leaving 
the  little  church  free  from  debt.  All  this  and  more,  it  is  reasonnble 
to  believe,  might  have  been  accomplished  in  1880,  had  all  the  members 
been  as  zealous  as  they  were  in  1887.  More  money  was  then  raised 
on  subscription  and  as  good  feeling  existed  toward  the  little  church 
then  struggling  for  existence  as  when  the  chapel  was  built.  The 
chapel  was  dedicated  April  6,  1887,  and  supplied  b}^  Rev.  C.  ^Y.  Dock- 
erill of  Winchester  with  twenty  members  in  full  connection  and  five 
on  probation.  During  the  conference  year  ending  April,  1889,  the  pul- 
pit was  supplied  by  Rev.  William  Woods  of  Winchester  and  ten  mem- 
bers were  received  in  full  connection  and  four  on  probation.  At  the 
conference  held  Feb.  18,  1889,  the  preacher  in  charge  reports  that 
tiie  chapel  had  been  supplied  with  a  bell  by  H.  Denman  Thompson, 
Esq.,  for  which  he  was  tendered  a  vote  of  thanks,  while  the  church  and 
people  duly  appreciate  his  generous  gift  as  well  as  the  clear  mellow 
sound  of  the  church-ooing  bell  to  S'acred  service  calling. 

The  conference  year  ending  Api'il,  1890,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by 
Rev.  M.  T.  Cilley  of  AVinchester.  The  Ladies'  Society  connected  with 
the  church  felt  the  need  of  rooms  annexed  to  the  chapel  in  which  to 
meet  and  serve  them  as  a  parlor,  dining  room  and  kitchen.  Accord- 
ingly an  addition  to  the  chapel  in  the  fall  of  1889  was  erected  and 
completed  in  the  spring  at  a  cost  of  $314,  and  in  less  than  one  year 
they  had  money  sufficient  to  pay  all  bills,  leaving  a  surplus  in  the 
treasury. 

Rev.  M.  T.  Cilley  was  re-appointed  to  supply  the  pulpit  the  ensu- 
ing 3^ear  ending  April,  1891.  There  are  at  the  present  time  thirty- 
seven  members  in  full  connection  and  three  on  probation  ;  in  all  fifty- 
eight  persons  have  been  connected  with  the  church.     The  cost  of  the 


182  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

chapel,  parlor  and  furniture  amounted  to  $1600.  Through  the  gener- 
osity of  S.  Wilson  Lawrence  of  Pulnier,  Mass.,  the  church  received  a 
donation  of  $50  to  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  [)oor. 

Keijort  says  tliat  the  lute  Nancy  S.  Howard  left  l)y  will  a  legacy  of 
8500  towards  erecting  a  M.  E.  church  in  West  Swauzey  if  built  with- 
in ten  years  from  her  decease. 

The  Universalist  Society. 

Among  the  earlj'  settlers  of  this  town  there  were  tiiose  who  relig- 
iously classed  themselves  as  believers  in  the  final  restitution  of  all 
souls.  In  the  cemeter}'^  at  the  Centre  of  the  town  is  a  granite  monu- 
ment with  this  inscription : 

"Gains  Hills. 

DiedJune  1,  180i. 

Aged  31  years. 

In  life  he  xoasa  Christian.     He  was  the  first  in  this  town  who  died  in  the  belief 
that  all  loho  die  in  Adam  shall  be  made  alive  in  Christ. 

Priscilla  Cummings, 
Wife  of  Gains  Hills,  died  Feb.  3,  1815.     Aged  41. 

This  monument  is  erected  to  their  memory  by  their  children,  Luther,  Clarissa 

and  Albert." 

We  infer  from  this  that,  as  a  denomination,  it  dates  its  origin  in 
Swanzey  at  about  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  or  a  little  before. 

Hosea  Bullou,  the  son  of  Polder  Ballou  of  Richmond,  after  his  con- 
version to  Universalism,  being  a  young  man,  was  wont  to  hold  meet- 
ings occasionally  in  school-houses  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  After 
this  Revs.  Sebastian  and  Russell  Streeter  held  frequent  meetings  in 
school-houses  and  barns.  These  brothers  spent  much  of  their  youth 
in  this  town,  their  father's  family  residing  on  the  east  side  of  the  road 
opposite  tlie  picnic  grounds  by  Swanzey  pond.  The  old  house  went 
to  decay  a  score  of  years  ago.  Both  these  men  became  eminent  min- 
isters in  their  denomination.  F'oUowing  them  Rev,  Mr.  Hudson  of 
Massachusetts  preached  occasionally — one-fourth  of  the  time  or  of- 
tener — for  several  years.  However,  there  was  no  organization  till 
somewhere  about  1836,  wlien  Rev.  Joseph  Barber  was  settled  in  town, 
preaching  in  the  Old  Meeting  house  at  the  Centre  of  the  town,  as  did 
Mr.  Hudson  who  preceded  him.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  the  tem- 
perance cause,  and  his  earnest  lectures  on  the  sul)ject  produced  a  most 
salutar}^  effect  upon  the  communit}'.  He  otherwise  served  the  people 
most  faithfully. 

Upon  his  leaving  town,  his'brother  Rev.  William  N.  Barber  supplied 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  183 

his  place  for  some  time.  Afterward  Rev.  James  Bailey'  preached  more 
or  less. 

When  Mt.  Caesar  Seminary  was  established  in  1842,  being  in  charge 
of  Rev.  L.  J.  Fletcher,  lie  supplied  the  pulpit  for  several  years,  Rev. 
E.  Davis  preaching  a  portion  of  the  time. 

Mr.  Fletcher  was  succeeded  as  principal  of  the  seminary  by  Rev. 
J.  S.  Lee  who  preached  for  the  society  some  two  years.  In  1853  Rev. 
S.  H.  M'CoUester  took  charge  of  the  seminary,  preaching  every  Sun- 
day in  the  forenoon  in  the  Assembly  Room  of  the  Seminary,  and  in 
the  afternoon,  at  West  Swanzey.  This  year  the  Universalist  church 
edifice  there  was  built  and  another  society  formed.  During  his  min- 
istr}'  a  clmrch  was  organized  at  the  Centre,  consisting  of  thirt3'-three 
members,  and  the  Parish  numbered  some  fifty  families,  while  at  "West 
Swanzey  the  Parish  was  still  larger.  A  Sunday  school  was  organized 
in  each  society,  numbering  more  tlian  sixty  scholars.  Mr.  M'Colles- 
ter's  ministry  continued  for  five  years  when  he  was  obliged  to  leave 
on  account  of  his  health. 

For  3'ears  these  pulpits  were  not  supplied  with  stated  preaching. 
At  length  Rev.  N.  R.  Wright  was  settled  at  West  Swanzey. 

The  seminary  at  the  centre  of  the  town  was  now  suspended  and 
the  Universalist  meetings  were  held  altogether  at  West  Swanzey.  On 
Mr.  Wright's  leaving,  there  were  only  occasional  supplies  till  Rev. 
Emma  E.  Bailey  revived  the  society  and  preached  to  it  for  two  years. 
Miss  Bailey  was  ordained  here. 

From  1883  to  1885  Rev.  R.  T.  Polk,  who  was  the  settled  Universa- 
list minister  at  Marlboro,  held  meetings  at  East  Swanzey  in  the  af- 
ternoon of  each  Sunday. 

Since  Miss  Bailey  left  there  have  been  only  occasional  meetings  at 
West  Swanzey.  Most  of  the  former  supporters  of  Universalisra  have 
either  died  or  removed  from  town  ;  still  there  are  not  a  few  who  still 
incline  to  the  faith. 

The  right  to  the  use  of  the  old  meeting-house  was  claimed  by  both 
the  Congregational  and  Universalist  societies,  and  so  far  as  is  known 
this  right  was  conceded  each  to  the  other  ;  but  the  former  society 
wishing  for  a  place  for  continuous  Sunday  worship,  in  1835  relin- 
quished its  claim  and  erected  the  brick  edifice  now  in  use.  While 
there  is  no  record  that  there  was  any  attempt  on  the  part  of  any  de- 
nomination to  infringe  on  the  rights  of  others,  or  in  any  wa}'^  injure 
them,  it  is  a  pleasant  thought,  that,  in  common  with  Christians  ever}'- 
where  there  has  been  and  is  an  increasing  fraternal  and  Christ-like 
spirit  manifested,  a  desire  to  work  together  and  help  instead  of  stand- 
ing aloof  and  repelling  each  other. 


CHAPTEE  VT. 

Educational. 


Early  Votes  pertaining  to  Schools— School  Districts— School  Housks. 

— Al'l'ARATUS  —  SUPEUVISION  —  SurElilNTENOING   SCHOOL  COMMITTKE — 

Board  of  Education— Appropriations— Division  of  School  Money — 
High  School— Teachers— Text  Books— Spelling  Schools— School 
Associations  —  Swanzky  Academy—  Libraries  —  Chautauqua  L.  and 
S.  Circle. 

THE  early  official  records  of  the  town  pertaining  to  schools,  seliool- 
liouses  and  education  in  general  are  exceeding!}'  fragmentary  ; 
and  even  with  the  aid  of  tradition  and  other  collateral  helps,  only  an 
imperfect  history  can  be  written. 

The  first  reference  to  the  subject  is  Ihe  following  in  the  warrant  for 
a  proprietors'  meeting  to  be  held  on  the  30th  day  of  June,  1740. 

"Art.  5.  To  choose  a  committee  to  hire  a  school  dame  to  instruct 
our  children  in  reading."  It  was  voteil  at  said  meeting  to  dismiss 
the  article. 

"At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  Lower  Ashuelot  held  by 
several  adjournments  on  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1743, 
Voted  to  adjourn  the  meeting  until  the  last  Wednesda}-  in  Jul}'  next 
at  ei^ht  of  the  clock  in  the  morning  to  meet  at  the  school-house." 

"At  a  meeting  of  Proprietors  held  the  last  Wednesday  of  Septem- 
ber, 1743,  at  the  house  of  Nathaniel  Gunn,  Timothy  Brown,  Eliakim 
King  and  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond  were  chosen  a  committee  to  fin- 
ish the  school-house  forthwith  so  as  to  meet  in." 

It  is  probable  that  the  words  "to  meet  in"  had  reference  to  holding 
their  religious  meetings. 

April  21,  17o3,  a  meeting  for  the  union  of  the  churches  in  Keene 
and  Swanzej'  was  held  at  the  school-house  in  Swanzey.  This  house 
probably  stood  on  the  school  lot  on  jNIeeting-House  hill,  but  when  it 
was  built,  how  long  it  remained,  or  of  anything  further  pertaining  to 
it,  there  is  no  record.  It  probably  remained  and  was  the  only  school- 
house  in  town,  until  after  the  Revolutionar}'  war,  and  was  em[)hati- 
cally  a  town  house,  used  for  both  secular  and  religious  purposes. 
(184) 


< 
en 

GO 


o 

o 
o 


c/2 
UJ 

o 


EDUCATIONAL.  185 

March  5,  1771,  the  town  "voted  that  the  sum  of  eight  pounds  law- 
ful money  be  granted  and  assigned  to  hire  schooling," 

Nov.  22.  "Voted  that  there  shall  be  a  school  kept  this  winter  in 
four  different  places  in  town  at  different  times,  and  that  Thomas 
Ai)plin,  Joshua  Graves,  Lieut.  Joseph  Whitcomb,  Capt.  Joseph  Ham- 
mond and  Mr.  William  Carr  be  a  committee  to  settle  and  appoint 
where  the  said  school  shall  be  kept  this  winter  in  such  places  as  they 
shall  judge  most  convenient  for  the  inhabitants." 

March  3,  1772.  ^'^  Voted  to  raise  twelve  pounds  lawful  mone}' to 
hire  schooling." 

^'' Voted,  That  the  town  be  divided  into  five  districts  for  keeping 
school  this  year." 

"  Voted,  That  Thomas  Applin,  Joshua  Graves,  Lieut.  Jonathan  Whit- 
comb, William  Grimes,  sen.,  and  Thomas  Cresson,  jr.,  be  a  committee 
to  divide  the  town  into  the  several  districts  and  make  report  to  this 
meeting."  The  meeting  was  adjourned  to  May  2nd,  at  which  time 
^' Voted  to  accept  the  division  of  the  town  into  five  districts  as  pre- 
sented to  the  town  at  this  meeting  by  a  committee  appointed  by  the 
town.  Voted,  That  each  of  the  aforesaid  districts  shall  have  the  money 
which  they  pay  towards  the  school  rate  to  pay  for  schooling  in  their 
districts  as  they  shall  agree  among  themselves,  to  lay  out  the  same, 
provided  they  \ay  out  the  same  within  a  year  from  this  time  for  schools, 
and  if  not  laid  out  within  that  time  to  be  disposed  of  as  the  town  shall 
think  proper." 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  June  1st,  the  committee  reported  as  fol- 
lows : — "We  the  subscribers  being  appointed  a  committee  to  divide  the 
town  into  five  districts  for  keeping  school  this  year,  having  considered 
and  consulted  upon  the  affairs,  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  following 
is  a  just  and  proper  division  as  we  can  make,  viz. : 

That  all  between  the  East  and  South  Branches  shall  belong  to  one 
division  ;  all  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  and  the  upper  end  of  the 
town  street  so  far  as  to  include  Mr.  Carpenter  and  Abner  Graves 
shall  belong  to  another  division  or  district ;  and  the  south  part  of  the 
town  street,  Mr.  Benjamin  Brown,  Nathaniel  Hills,  Samuel  Wright, 
Josiah  Bramin,  Elkanah  Woodcock,  Nathan  Woodcock,  Dr.  Ham- 
mond, and  Thomas  Hammond  to  belong  to  another  district;  and  all 
that  part  of  the  town  which  was  taken  off  from  Richmond  (excepting 
Daniel  Warner  who  belongs  to  the  first-mentioned  district)  shall  be- 
long to  another  district ;  and  all  the  town  west  of  the  aforementioned 
districts  to  belong  to  another  division  or  district.     Thomas  Applin, 


186  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Joshua  Graves,  Jonathan  "WhiLcomb,  William  Grimes,  Thomas  Cres- 
son,  jr.,  committee." 

At  an  adjourned  meeting,  June  2,  '•^  Voted,  That  the  above  division 
of  the  town  into  districts  for  keeping  a  school  be  accepted." 

June  1,  1773.  '■'■Voted  to  build  two  school-houses  for  the  use  of  the 
town." 

June  16.  "  Foied,  That  one  school-house  be  built  by  the  road  as 
near  David  Belding's  as  acomn)ittee  for  bnildino;  said  houses  shall 
think  proper ;  and  that  the  other  be  built  as  near  the  Pond  Brook 
bridge  on  the  north  side  of  the  brook  as  a  committee  as  aforesaid 
shall  think  proper. 

'■'■Voted,  That  each  of  said  houses  be  twenty  foot  square. 

"  Voted,  That  the  aforesaid  school-houses  be  built  in  sixteen 
months." 

Dec.  29,  1773.  '■'Voted,  That  a  school  shall  be  kept  part  of  the 
time  at  David  Belding's  house,  and  part  of  the  time  at  the  house 
which  was  Dr.  Nathaniel  Hammond's." 

'■''Voted,  That  such  persons  as  live  more  than  two  miles  from  the 
place  which  the  school  is  voted  to  be  kept  may  have  the  privilege  if 
they  desire,  of  having  the  money  which  they  pay  to  the  school  rate 
this  year  to  lay  out  as  they  think  proper  with  the  approbation  of  the 
selectmen,  provided  thej'  lay  it  out  for  schooling  within  a  j'ear  from 
this  time." 

March  o,  1774.  '■'■Voted,  That  the  former  votes  respecting  stating 
the  place  for  a  school  and  building  the  school-houses  be  flung  up  and 
other  measures  come  into. 

'•'■Voted,  That  the  town  be  divided  into  six  districts  for  keeping  a 
school  for  the  future,  and  that  each  district  shall  have  the  money  that 
they  pay  to  the  school  rate  to  lay  out  as  they  please,  i)rovided  they 
lay  it  out  for  schooling  within  p,  3'ear  from  the  time  the  money  is 
granted,  but  the  school  in  each  district  shall  be  free  for  any  person  in 
the  town  to  send  their  children  to  at  any  time. 

"FoiecZ,  That  Jonathan  Hammond,  Nathaniel  Dickinson,  Daniel 
Warner,  Samuel  Hills,  Joseph  Whitcomb  and  Samuel  Wright  be  a 
committee  to  divide  the  town  into  these  several  districts  and  make 
report  to  this  meeting." 

March  31,  1774.  '''Voted  to  reconsider  the  former  votes  at  this 
meeting  in  regard  to  schools.  Voted  to  raise  twenty  pounds  lawful 
money  to  provide  schooling  this  year." 

March  7,  1775.     ''Voted,  That  the  town  be  divided  into  several  dis- 


EDUCATIONAL.  187 

tricts  for  keeping  a  school  for  the  future,  as  follows,  viz. : — One  district 
at  tlie  upper  or  north  end  of  the  town,  including  all  on  the  north  or 
northwest  side  of  Ashuelot  River  as  far  down  as  to  take  Capt.  Whit- 
comb's  farm,  and  also  on  the  other  side  of  said  river  including  Lieut. 
Joseph  Wliitcomb,  John  Frary,  John  FoUett,  jr.,  Jonathan  Uran, 
Greenwood  Carpenter,  Wyat  Gunn  and  Abner  Graves ;  and  up  the 
town  street  so  far  as  to  take  David  Belding,  and  down  the  street  so 
far  as  to  take  Deacon  Hammond.  And  one  district  on  the  east  side 
of  the  South  Branch,  including  all  between  the  South  and  East 
Branches." 

The  following-named  petitioners  resided  in  the  southwest  part  of 
the  town  in  what  is  now  No.  8  and  vicinity. 

"We,  the  subscribers,  living  very  remote  from  any  district  where  we 
might  be  convenient  with  a  school  for  our  children,  do  humbly  peti- 
tion that  the  town  would  vote  us  off  as  a  district  and  grant  that  the 
money  which  we  pa^'^  towards  maintaining  a  school  in  this  town  may 
be  laid  out  for  schooling  in  the  said  district  as  near  the  centre  as  may 
be  with  convenience. 

Swanzey,  March  3,  1775. 

Israel  Da}^,  Samuel  Thompson, 

Josepli  Day,  John  Fleinings, 

Justus  Lawrence,  Jonathan  Da}', 

Samuel  Ware,  Patrick  Green, 

Dennis  Hafferon,  Mical  Heffron." 

At  a  legal  meeting  March  7,  1775,  it  was  "■Voted,  That  the  above 
request  be  complied  with  during  the  town's  pleasure." 

At  this  meeting  Samuel  Page,  Elijali  Graves  and  Daniel  Warner 
were  chosen  a  committee  "to  bound  out  a  district  in  the  south  part  of 
the  town  and  to  state  a  place  for  a  schoolhouse." 

"  Voted  to  raise  20  pounds  for  schooling." 

Dec.  18,  1775.  "Voted  to  apply  the  twenty  pounds  which  was 
granted  to  hire  schooling  tiiis  year  toward  paying  the  province  tax." 

177G.     "Voted  not  to  raise  any  money  for  schooling." 

Jan.  23,  1777.  "It  was  voted  that  the  town  be  divided  into  five 
districts  for  keeping  school  this  present  year,  and  a  committee  to 
make  the  division  consisted  of  Samuel  Page,  Jonathan  Hammond, 
David  Belding,  Henry  Morse  and  William  Grimes. 

"Voted,  That  a  school  shull  be  kept  in  each  district  in  proportion  to 
the  money  assessed  on  them  last  year  for  schooling,  and  at  such  time 
or  times  and  in  such  place  or  places,  and  by  such  master  or  masters, 
as  the  major  part  of  such  district  shall  agree  to  with  the  approbation 
of  the  selectmen." 


188  HISTOKY    OF    SWANZEY. 

March  4,  1777.  At  a  legal  meeting  called  at  the  meeting-house 
but  adjourned  to  the  school-house  (probably  because  the  latter  was 
warmer  and  more  comfortable),  "  Voted  to  raise  forty  pounds  for 
schooling." 

In  1778  fifty  pounds  were  raised  for  the  same  purpose,  and  in  1779 
one  hundred  pounds. 

From  the  following  petition  from  residents  in  the  westerly  part  of 
the  town  we  infer  that  the  only  school-house  in  town  at  that  time 
was  the  one  on  Meeting-house  hill. 

"To  the  inliabitants  of  the  town  of  Swanzey.  Gentlemen — We  the 
subscribers,  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Swanzey,  not  being  conven- 
iently situated  to  attend  school  at  the  school-house,  and  being  anx- 
iously concerned  for  the  education  of  our  children,  humbly  request  the 
favor  of  being  formed  into  a  school  district  by  ourselves,  witli  the  lib- 
erty of  building  a  school-house  and  appropriating  our  proportion  of 
school  money  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  a  school  in  said  district. 

Swanzey,  March  1,  1779. 

Clement  Sumner,  Joseph  "Whitcomb,  Daniel  Gunn,  Benjamin  01- 
cott,  Levi  Durant,  William  Hills,  Thomas  Greene,  Abijah  Whitcomb, 
Joseph  Whitcomb,  jr.,  John  Frarjs  Joseph  Rasey,  John  Follett,jr., 
"William  Carpenter,  Benjamin  Follett,  John  Pierce,  Charles  Grimes, 
Arthur  Fairbanks,  Samuel  Heaton." 

At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Swanzey  April  1,  1779, 
"  Fo^ecZ,  That  the  above  request  be  complied  with  during  the  town's 
pleasure." 

1780.     ^^  Voted  to  raise  six  hundred  pounds  for  schooling." 

May  29,  1780.  '■''Voted,  That  the  setting  up  of  schools  in  tlio  town 
for  the  future  be  solely  in  the  hands  of  the  selectmen  according  to  the 
directions  of  the  law  and  likewise  the  disposal  of  all  moneys  raised 
for  schooling,  any  vote  of  the  town  heretofore  to  tlie  contrary  not- 
withstanding." 

In  1781,  '82,  '83,  '84  and  '85,  ''Voted  not  to  raise  any  money  for 
schooling." 

"  Voted  to  grant  William  Grimes,  jr. ,  140  pounds  for  keeping  school 
in  the  year  1775." 

1785.  "-Voted  to  pay  Sarah  Woodcock  twenty-two  shillings  for 
her  services  in  schooling  in  tlie  year  past  in  this  town." 

"•Voted  to  pay  Daniel  Bishop  the  sum  of  twenty-two  shillings  for 
boarding  the  said  Sarah  Woodcock  when  she  kept  school." 

The  foregoing  are  all  the  important  records  pertaining  to  school 
matters  previous  to  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.     It  will  be 


EDUCATIONAL.  189 

seen  that  our  ancestors,  while  battling  with  forests,  Indians  and  the 
mother  oonntrj',  and  enduring  the  hardships  incident  to  pioneer  life, 
did  not,  and  probably  could  not,  give  that  attention  to  educational 
subjects  which  their  descendants  have  done  in  more  peaceful  times 
and  under  more  favorable  circumstances. 

Although  previous  to  the  close  of  the  war  votes  had  been  passed 
for  the  formation  of  districts  and  the  building  of  school-houses,  yet  it 
is  probable  that  at  this  time  only  one  school-house  had  been  built — 
that  on  Meeting-house  hill — and  that  the  districts  formed  wore  onl}' 
of  temporary  construction.  Schools  had  been  held  in  dwelling-houses 
in  various  parts  of  the  town  under  the  management  of  the  selectmen 
and  the  supervision,  perhaps,  of  the  ministers  who  were  well  edu- 
cated and  adapted  for  the  purpose.  With  the  return  of  peace  and  the 
advent  of  more  prosperous  times,  a  degree  of  system  and  improve- 
ment in  educational  matters  began  to  manifest  itself,  which  has  arad- 
ually  grown  and  increased  till  the  present  time. 

SCHOOL    DISTRICTS. 

In  1788  a  committee,  consisting  of  Samuel  Hills,  Joshua  Graves, 
Daniel  Warner,  Dan  Guild,  Roger  Thompson,  William  Grimes,  James 
Heaton,  .Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  and  Joseph  Cross,  were  instructed  to 
divide  the  town  into  school  districts.     They  reported  as  follows  : 

1.  "First  district  to  include  Mr.  Isaac  Applin  and  all  between  said 
Ai^plin  and  Marlborough  line,  and  south  of  said  Applin  to  Richmond 
line,  and  as  far  north  as  to  take  Amaziah  Peck. 

2.  "To  go  as  far  south  as  to  take  John  Starkey,  and  as  far  on 
Boston  road  as  John  Whitcomb's,  and  all  on  the  southerlj'-  side 
of  the  Branch,  and  likewise  Elijah  Osgood  and  Amasa  Aldrich, 

3.  "All  northerly  from  Elijah  Osgood's  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Branch  as  far  north  as  Ebenezer  Hills,  excepting  Levi  Durant. 

4.  "All  remaining  on  the  east  of  the  Branch  to  Keene  line. 

5.  "On  the  west  side  of  the  river  from  Keene  line  as  far  south  as  to 
take  Xehemiah  Cummings. 

6.  "From  Nehemiah  Cummings  bounding  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river  as  far  south  as  to  take  Thomas  Green. 

7.  "From  Thomas  Green's  south  bounding  on  the  river  to  Win- 
chester line,  and  all  on  Winchester  road  on  the  east  side  of  the  river, 
up  the  river  northerly  as  far  as  to  take  Charles  Grimes. 

8.  "From  Samuel  Hills,  jr.,  southerl}'' to  take  Josiah  Prime,  and 
as  far  south  as  Richmond  line,  and  to  adjoin  the  seventh  district. 

9.  "From  Samuel  Hills,  jr.,  westerly  to  go  as  far  north  as  to  take 


190  HISTORY   OF    SAVANZEY. 

Seth  Gay  and  Aaron  Parsons,  and  likewise  to  take  George  Ilewes, 
Capt.  Aldrich's  farm  now  in  possession  of  Aquilla  Ranisdell ;  and 
from  thence  on  Richmond  line  westerly  till  it  comes  to  the  eighth  dis- 
trict. 

10.  ''To  take  Mr.  Nathan  "Woodcock  and  to  take  Charles  How  and 
Benjamin  Brown,  and  then  on  the  street  as  far  north  as  to  take  Dan 
Guild's,  and  as  far  south  on  Boston  Road  as  the  Pond  Brook. 

11.  "•From  Lt.  Guild's  on  the  town  street  northerly  as  far  as  David 
Bolding's,  including  Esq.  Frink,  Mr.  Wyat  Gunn  and  Greenwood 
Carpenter. 

12.  "Beginning  at  Mr.  William  Carpenter's  and  taking  all  on 
Winchester  road  as  far  as  Mr.  John  Pierce,  including  Capt.  Joseph 
Whitcomb,  jr.,  and  Mr.  Epiu'aim  Cummings,  Mr.  James  Grimes,  James 
Green  and  the  two  Mr.  Seavers." 

This  division  is  the  basis  of  and  corresponds  largely  with  the  mod- 
ern numbering  of  districts,  or  with  that  of  185S,  and  previously,  as 
laid  down  on  the  old  Cheshire  County  map  which  was  pul)lislied  tiiat 
year.  The  variations  are:  —  No.  1,  which  comprised  the  easterly 
part  of  the  town,  a  portion  of  which  ha^  since  been  set  off  to  Tro}', 
and  the  remaining  part  of  which  is  uninhabited  and  now  em!)raced 
within  the  limits  of  No.  2.  No.  11,  as  then  described,  is  now  that 
part  of  No.  5  which  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  Ashuelot  river.  No.  4 
in  the  ancient  numbering  is  now  1  and  4,  the  division  having  been 
made  in  1817.  In  1827  a  committee  decided  on  reuniting  the  same, 
but  the  records  do  not  show  that  the  reunion  was  ever  accomplished. 
The  ancient  Nos.  7  and  12  probably' embraced  the  modern  Nos.  7, 11, 
12  and  13.  When  the  original  change  or  division  was  made  is  not 
known  ,  but  probably  soon  after  the  beginning  of  the  present  century 
the  old  No.  11  was  incorporated  with  No.  5,  and  the  north  part  of 
No.  7  and  the  east  part  of  No.  12  was  changed  to  No.  11,  leaving  the 
extreme  westerly  section  of  the  town  as  No.  12. 

In  1827  District  No.  11,  embracing  the  territor}'^  on  both  sides  of 
the  Ashuelot  river  at  West  Swanzey  was  divided,  making  the  river  the 
division,  and  constituting  No.  11  on  the  east  side  and  No.  13  on 
the  west  side.  In  1833  these  districts  were  reunited  and  remained  so 
till  1845  when  they  were  again  divided  as  before.  They  were  again 
reuntted  in  1874  and  have  continued  so  since  that  time.  In  1875 
several  families  from  No.  G  were  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  annexed 
to  the  district,  and  the  same  year  No.  12 — "Hard  Scrabble" — once  a 
populous  neighborhood,  but  now  much  reduced,  was  likewise  joined 
to  No.  11,  by  concurrent  votes  of  the  two  districts.     In   1885   the 


EDUCATIONAL.  191 

"district  system,"  so  called,  was  b}'  law  abolished,  and  the  town  sys- 
tem substituted  for  it. 

SCHOOL-HOUSES. 

It  is  probable  that  soon  after  the  Revolutionary  war,  school-houses 
were  built  in  tlie  vicinity  of  those  now  standing  in  Nos.  5,  8  and  10, 
and  about  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  in  most  of  the  other 
districts  in  town.  For  many  3'ears  schools  were  held  in  most  of  the 
districts  in  dwelling-houses.  Tlie  first  school-houses  were  generally 
small,  low  buildings  plainly  constructed  with  rows  of  long  seats  or 
benches  on  two  sides,  generall}'  rising  from  the  floor  in  the  centre  to 
the  walls,  a  huge  fire  place  at  one  end,  and  the  teacher's  chair  or 
desk  at  the  other  end.  They  contained  no  apparatus,  frequentl}''  not 
even  a  blackboard  or  map ;  in  some  cases  there  was  no  wood-siied  or 
other  out-building.  They  were  generally  crowded  with  scholars,  some 
of  the  hill  districts  that  are  now  nearly  dei^opulated,  having  from  for- 
ty to  seventy  each.  This  was  occasioned  in  part  by  the  large  families 
of  children  then  so  common  and  their  practice  of  attending  school  at 
an  earlier  age  and  continuing  there  till  older  than  at  present. 

In  later  years  these  plain  structures  have  gradually  given  place  to 
those  that  are  more  inviting  to  the  scholar,  and  attractive  to  the  passer- 
by. The  long,  rough,  unpainted,  whittled  seat  and  desk,  with  numer- 
ous inscriptions  and  hieroglyphics  pencilled  and  pictured  on  them, 
have  passed  away  and  in  their  place  we  have  the  neat  and  finished 
single  or  double  seat,  and  the  trim  and  polished  desk.  Instead  of  the 
old  fireplace  are  stove  and  the  steam  heater.  Blackboards  are  in 
every  school-room  ;  nearly  all  have  maps  and  charts  ;  some  have  globes 
and  other  apparatus.  In  1854  a  set  of  Holbrook's  common  school  ap- 
paratus was  purchased  for  No.  2,  which  for  several  years  did  good 
service,  and  about  the  same  time  a  IHte  set  was  used  in  No.  10. 

The  first  blackboard  used  in  our  schools  was  made  by  Capt.  Ahaz 
Howard  and  introduced  by  Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  teacher  in  district 
No.  6  about  1833.  Mr.  Hammond  also  first  taught  singing  in  the 
same  school. 

Of  the  nine  school-houses  now  in  use  all  but  two,  Nos.  1  and  5,  have 
recreation  or  play  rooms,  with  conveniences  for  warming  for  the  com- 
fort of  the  children  ;  all  are  painted  outside  and  inside  except  No.  1, 
which  is  of  brick.  All  have  blinds  to  the  windows,  and  suitable  wood 
rooms  connected  with  the  buildings.  That  in  No.  1  was  built  in  1833  ; 
No.  2  in  1877  ;  No.  4,  1850  ;  No.  5,  1880  ;  No.  7, 1870  ;  No.  8, 1880  ; 
No.  9,  1877;  No.  10,  1840,  enlarged  and  remodelled,  1858,  and  again 


192  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

remodelleil  in  1883  ;  No.  11,  1875  ;  No.  12,  "Ilardscrabhle,"  1821  and 
al)andoned  in  1875.  The  old  school-house  of  a  generation  ago  in  No. 
2,  standing  about  one-fourtli  of  a  mile  south  of  the  present  house,  was 
abandoned  in  1867,  and  a  nice  house  built  on  the  present  site.  This 
was  burned  in  1877,  when  the  present  two-story  structure  was  erected. 
Its  bell  was  donated  by  Geo.  W.  Oliver  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  The 
house  in  No.  11,  the  largest  in  town,  adapted  for  three  or  even  four 
schools,  was  erected  in  1875  and  dedicated  Nov.  12.  The  cost,  in- 
cluding insurance  was  ?5,843.  It  is  36  by  70  feet,  two  stories  exclu- 
sive of  basement,  which  is  used  for  steam-heating  purposes,  storage 
of  fuel,  etc.  The  land  on  which  it  stands,  a  yard  of  about  three- fourths 
of  an  acre,  was  a  joint  gift  by  Isaac  Stratton,  A.  S.  Kendall  and  O. 
Sprague. 

For  the  purpose  of  equalizing  taxation  among  the  different  districts, 
on  changing  from  the  "district"  to  the  "town"  system  in  1886  the  se- 
lectmen appraised  the  school-house  property  as  follows  : 

No.  1,  §510.00  No.  7,  *715.00 


(( 

2, 

2,250.00 

^     "    8, 

615.00 

11 

3, 

(money; 

35.00  i 
270.00  ] 

(wateo      62.00 
(money)        8.00 

No. 

4, 

258.00 

No.  9, 

540.00 

a 

5, 

485.00 

"  10, 

702.00 

a 

6, 

Total, 

32.00 

"11, 

4275.00 

$1,0757.00 

The  school-house  in  No.  3  was  abandoned  in  1885,  as  being  unsuit- 
able for  school  purposes,  and  measures  were  adopted  for  building  again 
on  another  location,  but  before  the  plans  were  executed,  the  towns^'s- 
tem  came  in  vogue,  and  the  scholars  of  the  district  have  since  attended 
at  No.  2.  The  "money"  in  the  district  was  that  raised  for  rebuilding. 
Tlic  house  in  No.  6  also  being  somewhat  dilapidated,  on  the  advent 
of  the  present  system  it  was  decided  to  unite  the  school  with  No.  11. 

SUPERVISION    OF    SCHOOLS. 

The  general  management  and  supervision  of  the  earlier  schools 
were  in  the  hands  of  the  selectmen.  In  1827  the  legislature  passed  a 
law  requiring  the  towns  to  choose,  or  the  selectmen  to  ai)point,  both 
superintending  and  prudential  committees.  But  previously  to  this 
time,  in  March,  1825,  Farnum  Fish,  Henry  Baxter  and  Luke  Bennett 


GO 

O 

tc 

o 

o 

o 

> 

O 

c:: 

CO 

td 

- 

o 

CD 


I 


EDUCATIONAL.  193 

were  chosen  a  committee  to  inspect  schools  in  the  west  part  of  the 
town,  and  Ephraim  K.  Frost,  Daniel  Wetherbee  and  Elijah  Sawj^erin 
the  east  part. 

1826.     Voted  not  to  choose  a  superintending  committee. 

In  1827  the  town  was  divided  into  two  sections,  and  by-laws  per- 
taining to  schools  were  adopted,  William  Read,  Samuel  P.  Applin 
and  Reuben  Porter  were  chosen  a  committee  for  the  eastern  section 
and  Luke  Bennett,  Hiram  Bennett  and  Clark  AVilson  for  the  western. 

In  1828  it  was  "voted  that  the  prudential  committee  be  chosen  by 
the  respective  districts." 

1831 .  "  Voted,  That  the  prudential  school  committees  be  instructed 
in  hiring  teachers  to  bargain  with  them  to  teach  26  daj^s  for  a  month." 

1833.      Voted  to  dispense  with  committees  visiting  schools. 

From  1827  to  1845  the  town  records  fail  to  show  the  appointment 
of  any  superintending  school  committee  ;  nevertheless,  it  is  inferred 
that  such  appointments  were  made  as  there  were  sometimes  articles  in 
the  town  warrants  "to  hear  the  report  of  the  superintending  school 
committee." 

1846.  Voted  that  the  selectmen  take  the  statute  for  their  guide  in 
appointing  superintending  school  committee  ;  and  D.  P.  French,  Jo- 
seph Hammond,  jr.,  and  Benjamin  Read  were  appointed. 

1847.  Jos.  Hammond,  jr.,  A.  A.  "Ware  and  William  Read  were 
appointed. 

1848.  D.  G.  Mason  and  Jos.  Hammond,  jr.,  appointed  for  the  west 
part  of  the  town. 

1849.  Rev.  E.  Rock  wood,  W.  Adams  and  Caleb  Saw3-er. 

1850.  Rev.  D.  G.  Mason. 

1851.  Rev.  E.  Rockwood,  D.  G.  Mason,  W.  Adams. 

1852.  Rev.  E.  Rockwood,  W.  Adams. 

1853.  A.  A.  Ware  chosen  by  town,-  which  has  since  been  the  meth- 
od of  electing. 

1854.  D.  L.  M.  Comings. 

1855.  S.  H.  McCollester,  D.  L.  M.  Comings. 

1856.  D.  L.  M.  Comings  and  A.  A.  Ware. 

1857.  A.  A.  Ware,  S.  H.  McCollester. 

1858  to  1862  inclusive.  Dr.  D.  L.  M.  Comings. 

In  1862,  Dr.  Comings,  having  enlisted  as  snrgeon  in  the  army,  A. 
A.  Ware  was  appointed  to  fill  vacancy,  and  likewise  chosen  by  town 
in  1863-4-5.  In  1866  Dr.  Geo.  I.  Cutler  was  chosen,  and  likewise 
every  successive  year  till  1876,  when  A.  A.  Ware  was  chosen.  In 
1877  and  '78  Dr.  Cutler  was  again  elected,  and  from  that  time  till 
13 


194  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

1885  both  Dr.  Cutler  and  A.  A.  Ware  were  cliosen,  Dr.  Cutler  having 
the  general  supervision  of  the  west  part  of  the  town  and  Mr.  Ware  of 
the  east  part. 

In  1886,  the  district  system  having  been  superseded  by  the  town 
system,  and  the  office  of  both  superintending  and  prudential  commit- 
tees having  been  abolished,  and  a  board  of  education  consisting  of 
three  persons  substituted  therefor,  Dr.  G.  I.  Cutler,  A.  A.  AVare  and 
Benjamin  Read  were  elected  the  first  members  of  the  Board  ;  Dr.  Cut- 
ler being  elected  for  three  years,  Mr.  Ware  for  two  and  Mr.  Read  for 
one.  Each  one  has  since  been  reelected  for  three  years,  the  time 
prescribed  by  law.     In  1890  Rev.  H.  Woodward  was  elected. 

Members  of  the  school  superintending  committee  are  entitled  to  a 
reasonable  compensation  for  their  services.  It  was  sometimes  per- 
formed by  the  clergymen  and  others  gratuitously.  In  1830  the  sum 
paid  was  $30.67;  in  1831  it  was  $15.26.  In  1846  Rev.  D.  P.  French 
was  paid  $1.50,  and  William  Read  $2.50.  For  thirty  years  previous 
to  1886  the  sum  paid  was  about  $50  per  3"ear  whether  the  office  was 
held  by  one  or  two  persons.  The  Board  of  Education,  performing  the 
duties  of  both  superintending  and  prudential  committees  have  re- 
ceived some  more  than  $100  per  year. 

For  about  thirteen  years  previous  to  abolishing  the  district  plan  the 
school  money  was  divided  b}'  giving  to  each  district  tvvent3'-five  dol- 
lars, and  of  the  remainder,  one-half  according  to  the  valuation  and 
the  other  half  by  the  number  of  scholars. 

In  1878,  $400  was  appropriated  for  a  High  School,  and  two  terms 
were  held,  one  in  the  fall  of  1878  at  the  centre  of  the  town  taught  by 
J.  W.  Cross,  jr.,  and  the  other  the  following  spring  at  West  Swanzey, 
managed  by  D.  W.  Pike.  The  experiment  was  not  entirely  satisfac- 
tory and  has  not  been  repeated. 

SCHOOL   TEACH KRS. 

Very  few  of  the  citizens  of  Swanzej^  have  ever  made  school  teach- 
in<T  their  principal  vocation.  It  has  been  engaged  in  by  many  for  a 
few  months  or  years  preparatory  to  entering  upon  some  other  business. 
Until  within  the  last  forty  j'ears  the  winter  terms  of  school,  of  about 
ten  weeks  each,  were  generally  taught  by  male  teachers,  and  tlie  sum- 
mer terms  of  the  same  length  by  female  teachers.  It  was  quite  com- 
mon for  teachers  to  "board  around"  among  the  different  families  of  the 
district,  the  board  being  given  for  the  purpose  of  lengthening  the 
school.  Since  1850  most  of  the  schools,  winter  as  well  as  summer, 
have  been  taught  by  female  teachers.  The  wages  paid  for  teaching 
is  now  more  than  double  what  it  was  forty  or  fift}'  years  ago. 


EDUCATIONAL.  195 

Among  the  earlier  teachers  in  Swanzey  are  the  names  of  WilHam 
Grimes,  Gains  Cresson,  Farnum  Fish,  Timothy  Thompson,  David 
Prime,  Paul  Wright,  James  Henry,  Virgil  Maxey,  Samuel  P.  Applin, 
William  Read,  Joel  Ware,  Samuel  Belding,  Samuel  Hills,  Reuben 
Hills,  Amos  F.  Fish,  William  Wright,  Joel  Eaton,  Joseph  Hammond, 
jr.,  Sarah  Woodcock,  Melinda  Hale,  Asenath  Hills,  D0II3'  Whitcomb, 
Prudence  Lane,  Susan  Stanle}^  Arvilla  Stanley,  Mary  Fish,  Caroline 
Fish,  Wealthy  Belding,  Chloe  Holbrook,  Eliza  Parker,  Prudence  Hills, 
Malinda  Read  and  Maria  Aldrich. 

TEXT-BOOKS. 

Among  the  old  text-books  used  were  the  old  "Third  Part"  in  read- 
ing,  by  Noah  Webster,  published  in  1790  ;  the  "American  Preceptor" 
and  "Columbian  Orator,"  by  Caleb  Bingham  published  respectively 
in  1794  and  1797;  the  "English  Reader"  by  Lindley  Murray;  the 
"Ameiican  First  Class  Book"  and  "National  Reader"  by  John  Pier- 
pont,  and  the  "Easy  Lessons"  and  "Sequel  to  Easy  Lessons,"  by 
Joshua  Leavitt ;  "The  Scientific  Class  Book,"  "Webster's"  and  "Lee's" 
spelling  books;  "Pike's,"  "Adam's,"  "Colburn's"  and  "Eimerson's" 
arithmetics  ;  "Alexander's"  and  '"Murray's"  grammars. 

In  our  primitive  schools  little  attention  was  given  to  geography,  and 
still  less  to  grammar;  the  time  of  the  pupils  being  devoted  chiefly  to 
reading,  writing  and  arithmetic.  There  are  those  among  our  older 
citizens  who  claim  that  the  scholars  of  those  days  left  the  pul)lic  schools 
with  a  better  practical  knowledge  for  the  ordinary  duties  of  life  tiian 
those  of  the  present  day  with  all  our  machinery  and  modern  appli- 
ances which  we  praise  so  highly. 

Notwithstanding  the  multiplicity  of  text-books  in  later  years  only 
three  spellers  have  been  used  in  our  schools  for  moi-e  than  sixty  years  : 
"Lee's,"  the  "North  American"  ancr^'Swinton's."  The  "North  Amer- 
ican" by  Rev.  L.  W.  Leonard,  a  citizen  of  our  county,  was  in  use  nearly 
forty  years.  Adams  written  arithmetic  (twice  revised)  by  Daniel 
Adams,  another  resident  of  this  county,  was  used  without  change 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  first  half  of  the  present  century.  Since  the 
exit  of  Adams',  Burnham's,  Greenleaf's,  Robinson's  and  the  Frank- 
lin's series  have  been  used.  Reading  books  have  Iieen  oftener  chanaed. 
Those  of  Pierpont  were  followed  by  Porter's  Rhetorical,  Russell  and 
Goldsbury's,  Town's,  Town  and  Ilolbrook's,  Sargent's  and  the  Frank- 
lin series. 

The  Iree  text-book  system  b}' law  came  into  operation  in  1890.  The 
old-fashioned  evening  spelling  schools  of  one  and  two  generations  ago, 


196  HISTORY    OF    SWAXZEY. 

were  interesting  if  not  profitable  occasions.  Tliongli  having  no  place 
in  town  records  they  are  well  remembered  by  our  older  citizens.  Tlie 
practice  of  "choosing  sides"  and  "spelling  down"  and  many  of  the 
incidents  connected  therewith  were  hugel}'  enjoyed  b}'  the  young  peo- 
ple who  wanted  a  "good  time." 

SCHOOL    ASSOCIATIONS. 

About  the  year  1855  a  Town  Common  School  Association  was  or- 
ganized, which  continued  in  successful  operation  for  several  years. 
Committees,  teachers,  scholars  and  friends  of  education  generally  com- 
bined their  efforts  and  held  weekly  evening  meetings  during  the  win- 
ter months  in  most  of  the  districts  in  town,  at  which  gatherings  there 
were  discussions,  lectures,  essays,  recitations,  singing  and  such  other 
exercises  as  were  calculated  to  increase  an  interest  in  and  promote  the 
efficiencj^  of  the  schools.  The  superintending  school  committee  in 
his  report  of  1859  (the  first  printed  by  the  town)  says  "The  Town 
Association  has  been  in  successful  operation  during  the  past  winter, 
adding  greatl}'  to  the  progress  and  elevation  of  the  school  system. 
We  have,  by  agitating  the  most  glaring  evils  in  our  schools,  in  tiiose 
meetings,  almost  banished  them  from  our  midst,  such  as  whispering, 
tardiness  and  getting  excused  from  school  duties  on  frivolous  causes." 

The  3ft.  Ccesar  Seminary  and  Sivanzey  Academy  was  founded  in 
1843,  and  was  largely  under  the  control  of  the  Universalist  denomina- 
tion. Suitable  buildings  for  school  and  boarding  purposes  were  erected , 
the  former  by  a  stock  company,  the  shares  of  which  were  ten  dollars 
each.  It  flourished  for  a  few  years,  but  the  interest  in  its  welfare  soon 
waned,  and  it  shared  the  fate  of  other  similar  institutions  in  Cheshire 
Count}',  the  high  schools  in  the  larger  towns  having  to  a  great  extent 
taken  the  place  of  the  academies.  The  original  trustees  were  Carter 
Whitcorab,  David  Parsons,  Lyman  Parker,  Edward  Goddard,  Virgil 
A.  Holbrook,  Israel  Applin,  Leonard  Whitc^mb  and  John  Stratton  of 
Swanzey  ;  Jona.  Robinson,  Surr}' ;  Nicholas  Cook,  Riclnnond  ;  Calvin 
May,  Gilsum  ;  Rev.  J.  Barber,  Alstead  ;  Rev.  B.  Smith,  Stoddard  ; 
Rev.  T.  Barron,  Winchester  ;  Rev.  E.  Davis,  Marlboro;  Rev.  Josiah 
Marvin,  Westmoreland  ;  Rev.  S.  Clark,  Jaffrey  ;  Thomas  Little,  Nel- 
son ;  J.  Stearns,  Walpole ;  Mark  Cook,  Chesterfield;  Ivah  Newton, 
Hinsdale. 

The  school  opened  in  September  with  Rev.  L.  J.  Fletcher  as  princi- 
pal and  L.  W,  Blanchard,  assistant.  The  next  year,  P.  R.  Kendall 
and  competent  teachers, in  music  and  drawing  were  added  to  the  list. 
Among  other  instructors  who  succeeded  these  were  H.  A.  Pratt,  Rev. 


EDUCATIONAL.  197 

J.  S.  Lee,  F.  A.  March,  A.  M.  Bennett,  M.  E.  Wright,  Rev.  S.  H. 
McCollester,  L.  F.  Pierce  and  Burrill  Porter.  It  ceased  to  be  a  de- 
nominational school  several  years  before  its  final  collapse.  The  semi- 
nary building  is  now  owned  by  the  Mt.  Caesar  Library  Association, 
and  the  boarding  house  is  now  Butrick's  hotel. 

LIBRARIES. 

In  addition  to  the  church  and  Sunday  School  libraries  spoken  of 
in  Chapter  V,  there  also  have  been  libraries  connected  with  neigh- 
borhood or  branch  Sunday  Schools  at  East  Swanzey,  at  Westport  and 
in  districts  Nos.  1,  8  and  9.  The  books  of  these  libraries  were  mostly 
of  a  religious  character,  suitable  for  Sunday  reading  and  designed 
principallj'  for  children  and  youth. 

In  1802  the  "Swanzey  Social  Library"  was  chartered  by  the  legis- 
lature. It  contained  standard  works,  biographical,  historical,  religious 
and  miscellaneous.  It  is  supi)osed  to  have  flourished  for  many  years, 
but  the  interest  in  it  waning,  the  books  were  sold  at  auction  in  1846. 
Amos  Bailey  was  the  last  librarian. 

In  1850  a  village  or  district  library,  containing  works  similar  to 
those  last  named,  was  formed  at  West  Swanzey  and  about  the  same 
time  another  in  district  No.  9. 

In  1873  a  library  of  like  nature  was  commenced  at  East  Swanze}'. 
All  these  were  small  and  were  sustained  but  a  few  years.  The  books 
of  the  E.  Swanzey  Library  were  purchased  of  the  stockholders  by  Al- 
bert B.  Read  and  given  to  the  3It.  Ccesar  Union  Library  Association. 
This  association  projected  and  largely  controlled  by  the  ladies  of 
the  central  and  easterly  parts  of  the  town,  adopted  May  14,1880,  the 
following  Constitution  : 

We,  the  undersigned,  in  accordance  with  Chapter  151  of  the  Gen- 
eral Laws  of  New  Hampshire,  do  form  ourselves  into  a  society  to  be 
known  as  the  Mt.  Caesar  Union  Library  Association,  whose  object  shall 
be  the  formation  and  peri)etuation  of  a  Public  Library  in  Swanzey ; 
for  the  purpose  of  promoting  general  intelligence,  good  morals  and  a 
pure  literature  among  our  citizens.  We  therefore  agree  to  abide  by 
the  following  regulations  : 

Article  i.  The  officers  of  this  Association  shall  consist  of  a  Presi- 
dent, two  Vice  Presidents,  Secretary,  Treasurer,  Librarian,  eight  Di- 
rectors and  five  Trustees,  with  the  exception  of  the  Librarian  to  be 
chosen  in  such  manner  as  the  society  ma}'  direct.' 

The  Trustees  to  consist  of  two  gentlemen  and  three  ladies,  to  hold 
their  otflce  one  year,  and  the  other  officers  six  months,  or  until  others 
may  be  chosen  in  their  places. 


198  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Art.  II.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Du-ectors  to  devise  ways  and 
means  for  the  purchase  of  books,  to  have  in  conjunction  with  tlie  Presi- 
dent, the  general  oversight  of,  and  to  make  arrangements  for  all  so- 
ciables, festivals  and  otlier  pul)lic  gatherings  which  may  be  had  to 
raise  funds  for  said  Library  ;  to  direct  how  all  money  belonging  to  the 
society  siiall  be  deposited  and  used  ;  and  to  make  arrangements  for 
the  proper  keeping  of  tlie  books. 

Art.  III.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Trustees  to  have  tlie  general 
oversight  of  the  Library  ;  to  carefully  select  and  purchase  the  l)ooks  ; 
to  examine  all  such  as  may  be  given  to  the  society  ;  to  choose  or  elect 
a  Librarian  ;  and  make  all  needed  rides  and  regulations  by  which  the 
Librarian  is  to  be  governed  in  the  perfoi'inance  of  her  official  duties  ; 
to  personally  examine  the  Libiary  from  time  to  time,  and  lepftrt  its 
condition  at  each  semi-annual  meeting  to  the  Directors,  and  make  such 
suggestions  as  they  think  necessar}' ;  and  to  make  and  occasionally 
revise  for  the  benefit  of  the  society  a  well-arranged  catalogue  of  the 
books. 

Art.  IV.  No  book  shall  be  admitted  to  the  Library  without  the 
concurrence  of  a  majority  of  the  Trustees;  neither  shall  anything  be 
received  of  a  sectarian,  i)olitical  or  immoral  character. 

Art.  v.  The  Trustees  shall  at  no  time  expend  a  greater  sum  than 
is  in  the  treasury,  and  the  sum  may  be  limited  1)}'  a  vote  of  the  Presi- 
dent and  Directors. 

Art.  VI.  Hach  member  of  the  Association  shall  be  allowed  to  choose 
one  book  for  the  Library  and  if  said  selection  be  found  to  be  in  accord- 
ance with  Art.  IV,  it  shall  be  accepted  and  purchased. 

Art.  VII.  No  officer  except  the  Lil)rarian  shall  receive  an}'  compen- 
sation for  his  or  her  service;  and  the  pay  of  the  Lilu-arian  shall  be 
determined  by  the  Directors,  subject  to  a  vote  of  the  society. 

Art.  VIII.  Any  person  residing  in  School  Districts,  2,  3,  4,  5, 
9  and  10  shall,  upon  paying  annually  to  the  Treasurer  or  Lil)rarian 
25  cents,  be  a  member  of  the  Association  and  entitled  to  all  the  bene- 
fits of  said  Library. 

Any  person  living  outside  said  limits,  if  desiring  to  become  a  mem- 
ber of  said  Association,  may  upon  application  to  the  president  or  any 
director,  and  the  president  and  directors  by  a  majority  vote  shall 
admit  such  persons,  subject  to  the  same  rules  and  regulations  as  other 
members. 

Art.  IX.  No  member  shall  be  assessed  for  money  to  be  used  for 
any  purpose  whatever ;  and  the  directors  shall  limit  the  trustees  to 
a  sum  less  than  that  in  the  treasury. 

Art.  X.    This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended,  or  additions 


EDUCATIONAL .  199 

made  to  it,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present  at  any  ap- 
pointed meeting,  provided  tlie  proposed  change  be  submitted  to  the 
society  in  writing  at  least  four  weeiis  before  action  shall  be  taken  upon 
the  same. 

Subsequent  amendments  to  this  constitution  included  school  dis- 
trict No.  1  within  the  limits  of  the  Association,  and  gave  all  school 
teachers  within,  said  limits  while  teacliing,  and  all  clergymen  while 
stopping  teuiporarily  within  said  limits,  the  free  use  of  the  books. 
The  words  sectarian  and  political  have  been  stricken  from  Art.  iv, 
and  all  officers  ax"e  to  be  chosen  for  one  year  instead  of  six  months. 

Since  the  formation  of  the  Association  it  has  been  presided  over  by 
Mrs.  R.  H.  Belding,  Mrs.  L.  J.  TV.  Carpenter,  Mrs.  K.  R.  Stanley, 
Mrs.  J.  W.  Merrill,  Mrs.  Lucia  Whitcomb,  Mrs.  A.  G.  Hills,  Mrs. 
Clara  M.  Lane  and  Mrs.  M.  A.  Haskell. 

Continued  prosperity  lias  attended  the  efforts  of  its  members.  By 
means  of  voluntary  donations,  and  a  series  of  sociables,  festivals  and 
literary  entertainments,  funds  have  beeu  raised  for  constant  additions 
to  the  library.     It  now  contains  about  1000  volumes. 

May  16,  1885,  Mr.  George  Carpenter  presented  by  deed  of  quit- 
claim to  the  Association  the  old  Academy  building  subject  to  the  fol- 
lowing provisions  : — "That it  shall  always  remain  where  it  now  stands  ; 
that  it  shall  never  be  sold  or  transferred  under  any  circumstances 
whatever ;  that  it  shall  never  be  used  for  a  hotel  or  lodging  house  ; 
that  it  shall  never  be  used  for  the  sale  or  use  of  any  intoxicating  liq- 
uors or  drinks  whatever  ;  that  it  shall  never  be  used  for  dancing,  card 
playing,  gambling  or  skating.  Itsliall  never  be  used  for  an^^  immoral 
purpose  whatever ;  but  it  shall  always  be  kept  for  literary  purposes 
and  for  the  promotion  of  knowledge  and  intelligence  among  the  inhabi- 
tants." The  deed  also  gives,  with  certain  limitations,  the  "Chautau- 
qua Literary  and  Scientific  Circle"-.now  formed,  or  any  other  literary 
societies  hereafter  formed,  also  the  ''Ladies'  Society"  the  use  of  the 
building  ;  "and  as  long  as  the  United  States  remain  free  and  independ- 
ent the  boys  in  the  neigliborhood  shall  have  the  right  unmolested,  to 
ring  the  bell  on  each  succeeding  Fourth  of  July." 

The  gift  was  accepted  by  the  Association  and  measures  were 
promptly  taken  for  remodelling  and  repairing  the  building  adapting 
it  to  its  designed  purpose.  Several  of  the ,  former  students  of  the 
Academy,  and  those  that  were  once  residents  of  Swanzey  and  now 
Interested  in  her  welfare,  were  invited  to  lend  a  helping  hand  in  the 
enterprise.  The  cost  of  remodelling,  etc.,  was  about  $1200  raised  by 
voluntary  contributions. 


200  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

In  October,  1886,  the  Association  voted  to  take  the  hall  in  the  third 
story  of  the  building  and  convert  it  into  an  antiquarian  room.  Since 
that  time  a  large  number  of  relics,  valuable  for  their  antiquity  and  as 
mementos  of  the  past,  have  been  given  b}'  a  multitude  of  donors, 
forming  a  collection  already  large  and  constantl}'  increasing. 

For  "Stratton  Free  Library"  see  "George  W.  Stratton,"  Chap.  X. 

The  Chautauqua  Literary  and  Scientific  Circle  or  People's  Col- 
lege, is  another  agency  in  the  interest  of  the  education  of  tlie  people, 
young  and  old,  having  its  headquarters  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  A  branch 
of  this  institution,  the  "Ashuelot  C.  L.  S.  C,"  was  organized  in  this 
town  in  Oct.,  1883.  Its  presidents  have  been  A.  A.  Ware,  Rev.  B. 
Merrill  and  AV.  C.  Bclding;  secretaries.  Miss  E.  R.  Bailey,  Mrs.  L. 
J.  W.  Carpenter  and  L.  Lowell  Belding.  About  30  persons  have 
availed  themselves  of  its  advantages,  several  having  completed  the 
prescribed  four  years'  course,  A  similar  organization,  "The  Crescent 
Circle,"  was  formed  in  West  Swanzey  in  1887,  with  Dr.  G-.  I.  Cutler 
as  president.  Its  secretaries  have  been  Mrs.  E.  J.  Cutler,  Mrs.  Mary 
Snow  and  Miss  Cora  B.  Hubbard.  Both  circles  have  been  i)rosper- 
ous. 


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CHAPTEE  yil. 

Higlacays  and  Bridges. 


Boston  Road — Early  Layouts — Specimen  Recohd— Sundry  Roads,  built 
WHEN — Old  Turnpike— Rates  of  Toll— "California"  Road— "Wil- 
lis" Road — Bridges,  when  built  ;  Cost  of  Construction— Highway 
Surveyors — Prices  of  Labor. 

THE  first  highways  of  the  town  were  little  more  than  foot  and 
bridle  paths,  gradually  developed  and  adapted  to  the  use  of  the 
rude  vehicles  of  the  early  settlers. 

June  11,  1735,  the  proprietors  '■'Voted,  That  there  be  a  man  chosen 
to  Joyn  with  the  Committee  Chosen  by  the  Upper  Township  to  look 
out  a  Convenient  way  to  the  Two  Towns  on  the  Ashawelot  River. 
Voted  that  the  man  that  shall  be  Chosen  be  allowed  Ten  shillings  a 
Day  for  his  Services  in  Looking  Said  way." 

'^  Voted,  That  Mr.  Jonathan  Miles  be  the  man  to  Joyn  with  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Upper  Township  to  Look  out  the  way  as  above  laid." 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Ephraim  Jones  in  Concord, 
Blarch  31,  1736,  ''Voted,  That  Messrs.  Nathaniel  Mattoon  of  North- 
field,  Ephraim  Jones  of  Concord,  and  James  Houghton  of  Lancaster 
be  a  committee  to  la^'  out  and  clear  a  way  through  said  township  to 
Earlington"  (Winchester) . 

Oct.  27,  1736.  "Voted,  That  Mr.  Jonathan  Miles  be  allowed  for 
his  service  in  looking  out  and  marking  a  way  to  Townshend  the  sum 
of  twenty  five  pounds  one  shilling." 

This  road  to  Townshend  was  doubtless  built  about  this  time,  and 
is  what  is  referred  to  in  later  records  as  the  "Boston  road,"  extend- 
ing from  Upper  to  Lower  Ashuelot,  and  through  the  southern  and 
eastern  parts  of  the  town  substantially  where  the  old  Troy  Hill 
road  now  is  ;  passing  the  J.  W.  Murphy  farm,  the  old  Clark  place 
(now  in  Tro}'),  which  was  for  many  years  a  hotel,  through  the  west- 
ern part  of  Troj^  the  entire  length  of  Fitzwilliam,  and  through  Win- 
chendon  to  Townsend.  It  was  built  thus  early  for  the  reason  that 
Massachusetts,  then  claiming  a  part  of  what  is  now  New  Hampshire 
and  Vermont,  had  forts  and  settlements  on  the  Connecticut  river  at 

(201) 


202  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

Great  Meadow  (Westmoreland)  and  at  No.  4  (Charlestown),  and 
wished  for  avenues  of  communication  to  tliese  places  and  the  fron- 
tiers of  Canada.  During  the  Indian  wars  after  this,  the  road  was 
extended  to  Crown  Point  on  Lake  Champlain.  The  whole  of  it  was  a 
military  road,  built  primarily  for  the  transportation  of  munitions  of 
war  from  settlement  to  settlement. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Lower  Township  on  Ash- 
uelot  River  being  duly  notified  and  met  at  the  house  of  Capt.  Nathan- 
iel Hammond  in  said  township  Sept.  7,  1737,  Voted  To  lay  out  a 
road  four  rods  wide  on  the  south  side  of  William  Carr's  [Zina 
Taft's]  lot  to  the  South  Branch." 

At  a  meeting  held  Sept.  29,  1737,  ''Voted,  That  Messrs.  Nathaniel 
Hammond,  Samuel  Hills  and  Charles  Lumas  be  a  committee  to  look 
out  a  way  to  the  Intervale  lots  on  the  Great  River,  and  also  a  way 
to  the  place  where  the  saw  mill  is  to  be  built  (West  Swanzey).  The 
committee  above  named  were  requested  to  see  that  the  roads  are  all 
cleared  forthwith." 

Dec.  28, 1738.  "  Voted,  That  the  road  to  the  saw-mill  shall  be  four 
rods  wide  when  it  is  cleared  or  near  thereaJjout." 

''Voted,  That  Messrs.  Samuel  Gunn,  Thomas  Cresson  and  Samuel 
Hills  be  a  committee  to  treat  witii  the  proprietors  of  Upper  Ashue- 
lot  and  of  Arlington  to  layout  a  highway  through  this  township  from 
Upper  Ashuclot  to  Arlington  where  it  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  a  com- 
mittee from  each  township;"  and  also  "To  lay  out  a  highway  four 
rods  wide  in  the  most  convenient  place  to  Hyponecho  meadows." 

Oct.  9,  1739.  "Voted,  That  William  Scott,  Nathaniel  Hammond 
and  Andrew  Gardner  be  a  committee  to  lay  out  a  highway  to  Pond 
Brook." 

"Voted,  That  there  shall  be  a  highway  laid  out  from  the  road  down 
to  the  saw-mill  down  to  Winchester,  and  that  Benjamin  Brown,  Wil- 
liam Grimes  and  John  Evans  be  a  committee  to  look  out  said  high- 
way." 

Marcli  IG,  1740.  "Voted  to  choose  two  Surveyors  of  hey  waies. 
Voted  and  chose  Abraham  Graves  and  Samuel  Hills  for  Surveyors  of 
hey  waies." 

Sept.  29,  1742.  "Voted  and  chose  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hammond, 
Thomas  Cresson  and  John  Evans  for  a  committee  to  lay  out  a  hey 
waiey  to  accommodate  the  meadow  lots  on  the  Ashuelot  River, 
South  Branch  and  Pond  Brook  ;  mend  the  highways  and  bridges  and 
secure  the  bridges  what  is  necessary." 

Highways  were  probably  laid  out  and  built,  or  cleared  of  trees, 


HIGHWAY    AND   BRIDGES.  203 

somewhat  in  accordance  with  the  foregoing  votes.  The  town  street 
extending  from  where  Mr.  Ciiarles  Worcester  now  lives  to  S3dvander 
Stone's  was  hiid  out  4  rods  in  width  and  built  in  accordance  with  the 
plan  on  tliat  facing  page  46,  making  an  angle  on  Meeting-house  hill 
just  west  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  George  Carpenter  ;  this  was  afterwards 
changed,  the  road  being  turned  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  the  east  nearly 
where  it  now  is,  and  a  part  of  it  was  made  eight  rods  in  width.  That 
leading  easterly  to  the  South  Branch  intersected  the  main  street  at  a 
point  south  of  Zina  Taft's,  and  extended  easterly  to  the  branch, 
crossing  the  stream,  thence  northerly  througii  the  meadows  or  at  the 
easterly  end  of  the  meadow  lots,  to  Keene,  and  southerly  from  the 
bridge  to  the  intervale  lots. 

The  road  to  Arlington  doubtless  struck  off  from  the  town  street  at 
the  same  point  where  it  now  turns  off  to  West  Swanzey,  making  four 
corners  there  and  extended  westerly  and  southwesterly,  bearing  up 
over  the  hill  by  the  Greenleaf  place,  and  continuing  on  east  of  West 
Swanzey  village  to  the  Hyponecho  meadows  and  Arlington.  The 
road  to  the  mill  intersected  this  road  somewhere  on  the  hill.  Our 
fathers  were  not  so  much  afraid  of  hills  as  their  descendants  now  are. 

Early  ii;  the  history  of  the  town  a  road  was  built  from  the  David 
Parsons'  place  on  the  north  side  of  Mt.  Caesar  to  the  settlement  on 
the  hill  by  the  Greenleaf  place,  but  this  was  discontinued  in  1778. 
In  1770  a  highway  was  laid  out  on  the  south  side  of  Mt.  Csesar  ex- 
tending from  this  same  settlement  on  the  hill  to  the  town  street  where 
the  brick  church  now  stands,  but  probably  was  never  built.  In  the 
same  year  a  road  was  laid  out  from  the  south  end  of  the  town  street 
where  Sylvander  Stone  now  lives  to  tlie  north  end  of  Svvanzey  pond, 
thence  on  the  east  side  of  the  pond  to  its  south  end,  thence  westerly 
to  Day  hill,  so  called,  where  Marcus  Bullard  and  Everett  Holbrook 
now  live.  Parts  of  this  road  had  been  travelled  many  years  before 
this  layout.  Leading  from  the  present  pond  road  by  Charles  Tal- 
bot's, north  of  his  farm,  there  may  now  be  seen  two  old  roads  with 
walls  on  either  side  leading  towards  the  head  of  the  pond  ;  the  more 
northerly  of  these  is  supposed  to  be  a  part  of  that  last  described. 

The  Ash  Swamp  road,  so  called,  was  laid  out  in  1772,  and  that  in 
the  south  part  of  the  town  by  C.  H.  Holbrook's,  intersecting  the  Day 
hill  road  in  1778.  The  old  road  by  Walter  H.  Perry's  and  the  Curtis 
place  to  J.  L.  Starkey's  was  laid  out  in  1790,  and  the  greater  part  of 
it  was  discontinued  in  1839. 

Between  the  years  1770  and  1785  not  less  than  twenty-five  roads 
were  laid  out  by  the  selectmen. 


204  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

The  following  may  serve  as  specimens  of  the  old  laj'-outs  as  re- 
corded ;  Uie  first  being  a  highway  east  of  East  Swanzey  village,  ami 
discontinued  many  years  ago;  the  second  being  the  road  now  lead- 
ing by  C.  H.  Ilolbrook's. 

"A  road  laid  out  beginning  at  the  spring  upon  the  line  between  Mr. 
Read's  and  Mr.  Peck's  then  west  upon  said  Read's  to  a  beech  tree ; 
then  across  a  corner  of  said  Peck's  where  it  is  now  trod  till  it  strikes 
Mr.  Sherman's  west  where  it  is  now  trod  to  a  red  oak  tree  marked, 
west  of  the  road  leading  from  said  Shermans  to  Mr.  Thompson's  north 
clearing;  west  to  a  white  pine  tree  marked,  near  said  Thompson's 
line;  thence  west  with  said  line  and  on  said  Thompsons  to  the  old 
road." 

"Swanzey,  Apkil  30,  1778. 
This  day  laid  out  a  road  in  the  southwesterly  part  of  Swanzey, 
viz. :  Beginning  at  the  line  of  Moses  B.  Williams'  lot,  and  proceed- 
ing northerly  between  Josiah  and  Joshua  Prime's  lots ;  then  through 
Wyat  Gunn's  and  Joshua  Fleming's  lots  ;  then  between  James  Hea- 
ton's  lot  and  Amos  Day's  lot,  out  to  the, road  leading  to  Benjamin 
Day's ;  the  road  to  be  two  rods  wide  on  the  east  side  of  the  marked 
trees. 

Calvin  Frink  )  ^  , 

„,  .-  >  Selectmen. 

Ihomas  Hammond       J 

About  the  first  lay-out  described  by  courses  and  distances  was  in 
1821. 

There  is  no  record  of  any  road  west  of  the  river  previous  to  1770. 
The  road  from  Chesterfield  line  by  the  Henr}'  place  to  the  intersection 
near  Geo.  0.  Capron's  was  built  in  1824  ;  that  from  Tim  Fitzgerald's 
north  to  Keene  line  in  1828. 

That  part  of  the  highway  from  West  Swanzey  to  Keene  north  of 
the  intersection  near  Byron  Porter's  was  built  in  1833.  Previous  to 
that  date  the  travel  was  by  Sawj'cr's  Crossing  or  b}'  O.  S.  Eaton's. 
The  "Rabbit  Hollow"  road,  so  called,  was  laid  out  in  1837.  In  1838 
the  town  voted  to  sell  one  rod  in  width  on  each  side  of  the  street 
through  the  middle  of  the  town  wliere  it  was  8  rods  wide. 

The  "Branch  Road  and  Bridge  Corporation,"  or  the  old  turnpike, 
as  it  was  called,  was  chartered  by  the  legislature  in  1802  and  built 
soon  after.  It  is  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town  by  the  side  of  the 
Cheshire  railroad.  Our  older  citizens  remember  the  toll-gate  by 
the  bridge  at  the  foot  of  Depot  hill.  Tolls  were  collected  till  1842 
when  it  was  made  a  free  road  the  town  paying  the  corporation  $2415. 


HIGHWAY   AND    BRIDGES.  205 

The  tolls  were  n,s  follows:  Sheep  and  hogs,  one-half  cent  each; 
horses  and  cattle,  one  cent  each;  every  horse  and  rider,  or  lead  horse, 
seven  cents  ;  every  sulky  or  chaise  with  one  horse  and  two  wheels, 
twelve  and  one-half  cents  ;  every  chaise,  coach,  stage,  wagon,  phaeton, 
with  two  horses  and  four  wheels,  twent^^-five  cents  ;  with  four  horses, 
thirty  cents  ;  for  every  other  carriage  of  pleasure,  the  like  sura  accord- 
ing to  the  number  of  wheels  and  horses  drawing  the  same  ;  for  each 
cart  or  carriage  of  burthen  drawn  by  one  beast,  eight  cents,  for  each 
wagon,  cart  or  otlier  carriage,  or  burthen,  drawn  by  two  beasts, 
twelve  and  one-half  cents;  if  more  than  two  beasts,  seven  and  one- 
half  cents  for  each  additional  pair  of  oxen  or  horses. 

In  1846  the  road  commissioners  laid  the  road  from  C.  L.  Lane's  to 
the  old  turnpike  b}'^  E.  F.  Lane's  mill,  giving  a  road  nearl}^  straight 
and  level  instead  of  the  hilly  and  circuitous  route  previously  travelled. 
Expense,  including  land  damages,   $1486.77. 

In  1848  the  selectmen,  on  [ietition  of  John  Stratton,  Oliver  Capron 
and  others  laid  out  the  "California"  road,  so  called,  extending  from 
Michael  Cantlin's,  a  little  west  of  West  Swanzey  village,  up  the  Cal- 
ifornia brook  to  Ciiesterfield  line,  a  distance  of  579  rods  ;  to  be  built 
when  Chesterfield  should  lay  out  and  build  a  road  connecting  with 
this  and  continuing  up  the  valley  intersecting  with  the  Keene  and 
Chesterfield  highway. 

During  the  following  year,  the  town  of  Chesterfield,  having  taken 
no  measures  to  build  her  part  of  the  road  the  Court  was  petitioned 
to  lay  out  the  same  which  it  did.  Swanzey  promptly  built  her  part 
but  Chesterfield,  by  building  a  substitute,  was  enabled  to  get  her  part 
discontinued,  and  it  has  never  been  built.  The  cost  of  the  Swanzey 
part  was  $1254.75. 

The  road  from  G.  F.  Lane's  to  David  Whitcomb's,  called  the  "Wil- 
lis road"  was  laid  by  the  commissioners  in  1855,  and  subsequently 
built  by  the  town  at  an  expense,  including  land  damages,  of  S15G9.36. 
The  highway  from  William  Ballou's  up  Hyponecho  brook  towards 
Lombard's  mill  was  built  in  1859. 

Swanzey  has  always  had  a  large  number  of  bridges  to  build  and 
maintain.  There  are  three  over  the  Ashuelot  and  five  over  the  South 
Branch,  besides  many  others  over  smaller  streams.  Tiie  three  on  the 
Ashuelot  and  two  on  the  South  Branch  are  covered  bridges  ;  that  over 
the  Branch  by  the  town  house  is  of  iron.  The  first  large  bridges  and 
those  remembeied  by  our  older  citizens  were  supported  between  the 
abutments  by  trestles. 

The  "Cresson"  bridge  by  Sawyer's  Crossing  was  built  in  1771  ;  the 


206  HISTORY   OF   SWAXZEY. 

town  voting  to  raise  for  tlie  purpose  fiftj'^-thrGe  pounds,  six  shillings 
and  eiglit  pence.  The  present  bridge  was  built  in  1859,  costing 
$1735.94.  The  West  Swanzey  bridge  was  built  in  1774,  twenty-nine 
pounds  and  fourteen  shillings  being  voted  for  the  purpose.  The  cov- 
ered bridge  was  built  in  1832  at  an  expense  of  S523.27,  Zadoc  Taft 
being  the  master  workman.  Repairs  were  made  in  1859  costing 
$431.58,  and  again  in  1888  on  bridge  and  abutments  to  the  amount 
of  nearly  S2000. 

The  records  fail  to  tell  us  when  the  "Slate"  bridge  at  "NVestport  was 
first  built.  It  was  probably  about  the  year  1800  or  during  the  time 
of  the  missing  records.  In  1842  a  section  of  this  bridge,  on  which 
was  Mr.  AYilliam  Wheelock  and  his  team  of  four  oxen  fell  into  the 
river.  The  matter  of  damages  was  referred  to  Phinehas  Handerson  of 
Keene. 

The  existing  bridge  was  built  in  1862  at  an  expense  of  $1850.64. 
The  bridge  over  the  l)ranch  by  the  "Causeway"  was  constructed  in 
1779,  and  that  at  East  Swanzey  in  1789,  fifteen  pounds  being  raised 
for  the  purpose.  Tiie  Iron  bridge,  east  of  the  town  liouse,  was  built 
in  1877. 

The  laying  out,  building  and  repairing  of  liighwa3's  has  ever  been 
a  subject  of  much  interest  to  the  people,  and  one  on  which  there  has 
been  great  diversity  of  opinion,  especially  as  to  the  public  need  of 
new  roads,  and  the  best  way  of  repairing  old  ones.  The  common 
method  of  repairing  has  been  for  each  person  to  work  out  his  own  tax 
under  the  direction  of  surveyors  appointed  bv  the  selectmen  or  chosen 
by  the  town.  The  number  of  highway  surveyors  has  varied  at  differ- 
ent times  from  one  to  twenty.  The  town  was  formerly  divided  into 
nineteen  districts,  and  a  surveyor  appointed  for  each.  The  selectmen 
or  town  fixed  the  prices  of  labor  for  men  and  teams,  and  for  the  use 
of  implements  employed  on  the  roads.  In  1780  the  town  '■^  Voted  to 
Grant  4000  Pounds  for  making  and  Repairing  Highways  ;  and  to  al- 
low Thirty  Dollars  pr.  Day  pr.  man  from  the  first  of  April  until  the 
first  of  October,  and  Twent}^  Dollars  pr.  Day  the  Remainder  of  the 
year."  In  1781  "  Voted  to  Raise  7000  Pounds  for  making  and  Repair- 
ing Highways  the  present  Year,  and  the  Labour  at  the  Roads  be  stated 
at  Forty  Dollars  pr.  Day  pr.  man  until  the  first  of  October,  and  at 
30  Dollars  pr.  Day  for  the  Remainder  of  the  year." 


en 

CO 

o 

DC         [pr; 
CO 

> 
-<; 


CHAPTER  YIII. 

Votes  for  State  Officers,  Presidential  Electors,  etc. 


BIODERATOR. 

17G6.  Joseph  Hammond. 
17G7.  Joseph  Hnnniiond. 

1768.  Jonathan  Hammond. 

1769.  Jon.'itlian  Hammond. 

1770.  Jonathan  Hammond. 

1771.  Joseph  Hammond. 

1772.  Jonathan  Hammond. 
177.3.  Jonathan  Hammond. 

1774.  Joseph  Hammond. 

1775.  Joseph  Hammond. 
177(i.  Joseph  Hammond. 

1777.  Joseph  Hammond. 

1778.  Jonathan  Whitcomb. 

1779.  Calvin  Frink. 

1780.  Thomas  Applin. 

1781.  Thomas  Applin. 

1782.  Thomas  Applin. 

1783.  Samnel  Hills. 

1784.  Samuel  Hills. 
178.5.  Isaac  Hammond. 
17SG.  Jonathan  Whitcomb. 

1787.  Elislia  Whitcomb. 

1788.  Dan  Guild. 

1789.  Elisha  Whitcomb. 

1790.  Elisha  Whitcomb. 

1791.  Dan  Guild. 

1792.  Elisha  Whitcomb. 

1793.  Elisha  Whitcomb. 


TOWN  OFFICERS. 

TOWN  CLERK. 

Thomas  Ajiplin. 
Tliomas  Applin. 
Thomas  Applin. 
Thomas  Applin. 
Thomas  Applin. 
Thomas  Applin. 
Tliomas  Applin. 
Thomas  Applin. 
Thomas  Applin. 
Thomas  Applin. 
Thomas  Applin. 
-  Thomas  Applin. 
Jonathan  Whitcomb. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  brink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 


REPRESENTATIVES. 


Calvin  Frink. 
Elisha  Whitcomb. 

Rev.  Edward  Goddard. 
Elisha  Whitcomb. 
Elisha  Whitcomb. 


David  Belding,  jr. 

Elisha  Whitcomb. 
Elisha  Whitcomb. 
Elisha  Whitcomb. 
(207) 


208 


HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 


MODERATOR. 

TOWN  CLERK. 

1794. 

Calvin  Frink. 

1795. 

Calvin  Frink. 

1796. 

Calvin  Frink. 

1797. 

1798. 

1799. 

ISOO. 

1801. 

1802. 

1803. 

' 

1804. 

1805. 

1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

Records  missin 

1809. 

1810. 

1811. 

1812. 

1813. 

1814. 

1815. 

1816.  Elkanah  Richardson. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1817.  Elkanah  Richardson. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1818.  Ezekiel  Tage. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1819.  Abel  Wilson. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1820.  Ezekiel  Page. 

Elijah  Belding. 

i821.  Elijah  Sawyer. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1823.  Ezekiel  Page. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1823.  Edward  Goddard. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1824.  Ephraim  K.  Frost. 

Elijali  Belding. 

1825.  Elijah  Sawyer. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1826.  Elijah  Sawyer. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1827.  Ei)hraim  K.  Frost. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1828.  Ephraim  K.  Frost. 

Elijah  Belding. 

1829.  Elijah  Carpenter. 

Elijah  Sawyer. 

1830.  Elijah  Carpenter. 

Elijah  Sawyer. 

1831.  Samuel  Stearns. 

Elijah  Sawyer. 

1832.  Samuel  Stearns. 

Elijah  Sawyer. 

REPRESENATIVES 

Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 

Calvin  Frink. 
Calvin  Frink. 

Nehemiah  Cnmmings. 
Thomas  Hammond. 
Elisha  Whitcomb. 
Elisha  Whitcomb. 
Amasa  Aldrich. 


Elijah  Carpenter. 
Elijah  Carpenter. 
Elijah  Belding. 
Elijah  Carpenter. 
Elijah  Carpenter. 
James  Underwood. 
James  Underwood. 
James  Underwood. 
Elijah  Belding. 
Elijah  Sawyer. 
Elijah  Sawyer. 
Elijah  Belding. 
Elijah  Belding. 
Elijah  Carpenter. 
Elijah  Carpenter. 
Elijah  Sawyer. 
Elijah  Sawyer. 


I 


TOWN    OFFICERS. 


209 


MODERATOR. 

1833.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1834.  Samuel  Stearns. 
1S35.  Samuel  Stearns. 
1836.  Samuel  Stearns. 
1337.  Elijah  Sawyer. 

1838.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1839.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1840.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1841.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1842.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1843.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1844.  Amos  Richardson. 
184.5.  Amos  Richardson. 

1846.  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1847.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1848.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1849.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1850.  Samuel  Stearns. 
1S51.  Benjamin  Read. 

1852.  Carter  Whitcomb. 

1853.  Benjamin  Read. 

1854.  Samuel  Stearns. 
18.i5.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1856.  Samuel  Stearns. 

1857.  Benjamin  Read. 

1858.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1859.  Benjnmin  F.  Lombard. 

1860.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1861.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

U 


TOWX  CLERK. 

Elijah  Belding. 
Henry  B  axter. 
Henry  Baxter. 
Henry  Baxter. 
Henry  Baxter. 
Henry  Baxter. 
Henry  Baxter. 
Henry  Baxter. 
Henry  Baxter. 
Henry  Baxter. 
Henry  Baxter. 

Henry  Baxter. 

Henry  Baxter. 

Henry  Baxter. 

Henry  Baxter. 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

Jotham  \y.  Frimk, 

Jotham  W.  Frink. 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

Alanson  S.  Wliitcomb. 

Alanson  S.  Whitcomb. 

Alanson  S.  Whitcomb. 

Alanson  S.  Whitcomb. 


REPRESENTATIVES. 

Elijah  Sawyer. 

Edward  Goddard. 

Edward  Goddard. 

Amasa  Aldrich. 

Amasa  Aldrich. 

Charles  N.  Hills. 

Charles  N.  Hills. 

Leonard  Whitcomb. 

Leonard  Whitcomb. 

Joseph  Barber. 

Joseph  Barber  and  Lyman 
Parker. 

Lyman    Parker   and    Amos 
Richardson. 

Amos  Richardson  and  Wil- 
liam Hewes. 

William  Hewes  and  Oliver 
Capron. 

Oliver  Capron  and  Paul  F. 
Aldrich. 

Paul  F.  Aldrich  and  Hardin 
Albee. 

Hardin    Albee    and    Aquila 
Taft. 

Aquila     Taft    and    Joseph 
Hammond,  jr. 

Josepli  Hammond,   jr.,  and 
Willard  Adams, 

Zadoc   L.   Taft   and    Luke 
Bennett. 

Rufus   Thompson  and  Wil- 
liam Hewes. 

Benjamin  F.  Lombard  and 
Isaac  Stratton. 

Benjamin  F.  Lombard  and 
Isaac  Stratton. 

David  L.  Comings  and  David 
Parsons. 

Edwin  F.  Read  and  Thomas 
T.  Wetherbee. 

Stephen  Faulkner  and  Rufus 
Bowen. 

Stephen  Faulkner  and  Rufus 
Boweu. 

Frederic  L.  Eaton  and  Enoch 
Howes. 

Enoch    Howes    and   Oliver 
Capron. 


210 


HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 


MODERATOR. 

1862.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1863.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1864.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1865.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1866.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 
18G7.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1868.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1869.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1870.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1871.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1872.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1873.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1874.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1875.  Benjamin  F.  Lombai'd. 

1876.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1877.  Benjamin  F.  Lombard. 

1878.  Benjamin  Read. 

1879.  Josiah  Parsons. 

1880.  Josiah  Parsons. 

1881.  Charles  H.  Howard. 

1882.  Charles  H.  Howard. 

1883.  Charles  H.  Howard. 

1884.  Obadiah  Sprague. 

1885.  Obadiah  Sprague. 

1886.  Benjamin  Read. 
a887.  Henry  Abbott. 

1888.  Benjamin  Read. 

1889.  George  E.  Whitcomb. 

1890.  George  E.  Whitcomb. 


TOWN  CLERK. 

Alanson  S.  Whitcomb. 

Alanson  S.  Whitcomb. 

Alanson  S.  Whitcomb. 

Alanson  S.  Whitcomb. 

Alanson  S.  Whitcomb. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  L  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 

Geoige  I.  Cutler. 

George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 
George  I.  Cutler. 


REPRESENTATIVES. 

Oliver   Capron    and    Elijah 
Sawyer. 

Elijah    Sawyer    and    Henry 
Starkey,  jr. 

Henry  Starkey,  jr.,  and  Ben- 
jamin F.  Lombard. 

Gideon  G.  Willis  and  Alan- 
son S.  Wliitcomb. 

Josiali   Parsons  and  Henry 
Holbrook,  2d. 

Josiah  Parsons  and  Henry 
Holbrook,  2d. 

Philip  D.  Angier  and  David 
Parsons. 

Philip  D.  Angier  and  David 
Parsons. 

Obadiah  Sprague   and   Ste- 
phen Faulkner. 

Obadiah    Si)rague    and  Sta- 
plicn  Faulkner. 

Benjamin   F.    Lombard  and 
Rofiwcll  Whitcomb. 

Thomas   T.  Wetherbee  and 
Heury  Holbrook. 

Thomas  T.  Wetherbee  and 
Henry  Holbrook. 

George  W.  Willis  and  George 
O.  Capron. 

George  W.  Willis  and  George 
O.  Capron. 

George  Carpenter  and  Henry 

Abljott. 

Edward  Wilcox  and  Daniel 

Snow. 

Nov.   5,    1879,   voted  not  to 
send. 

Rufus  Taft. 


Henry  Abbott. 
Henry  Abbott. 
Edward  H.  Snow. 
Orlow  E.  Parsons. 
George  E.  Whitcomb. 


SELECTMEN. 


211 


SELECTMEN. 


1766  Thomas  Applin,  Joseph   Ham- 

mond, Thomas  Hammond. 

1767  David   Belding,     Samuel     Hills, 

Elijah  Graves. 

1768  Thomas     Applin,   Joseph    Ham- 

mond, "William  Warner. 

1769  Thomas    Applin,   Joseph    Ham- 

mond. 

1770  David   Belding,  Jonathan  Whit- 

comb,  Samuel  Belding. 

1771  Thomas  Applin,  Samuel     Hills, 

Benjamin  Brown. 

1772  Joseph  Hammond,  Daniel  War- 

ner, Joseph  Whitcomb. 

1773  Thomas     Applin,    Joseph   Ham- 

mond, Samuel  Hills. 

1774  Thomas   Applin,   Joseph     Ham- 

mond, Daniel  Warner. 

1775  Samuel  Hills,  Samuel   Page,  Da- 

vid Belding. 

1776  Thomas   Applin,   Joseph     Ham- 

mond, David  Belding. 

1777  Tliomas   Applin,    Samuel 


David  Belding. 


Hills, 
Frink, 


1778  Samuel     Hills,    Calvin 

Thomas  Hammond. 

1779  Calvin  Frink,  Samuel  Hills,  Dan- 

iel Warner. 

1780  Calvin  Frink,  Thomas  Hammond, 

David  Belding. 

1781  Thomas   Applin,    Calvin   Frink 

Isaac  Hammond,  Elijah  Beld- 
ing and  Elisha  Whitcomb. 

1782  Calvin  Frink,  Isaac    Hammond, 

David  Belding,  jr. 

1783  Calvin    Frink,   Aaron    Parsons, 

Thaddeus  Cummings. 

1784  Isaac  Hammond,  David  Belding, 

jr.,  Benjamin  Hammond. 

1785  Henry    Morse,   David    Warner, 

Elkanah  Lane. 

1786  Calvin  Frink,  Isaac    Hammond, 

Nehemiah  Cummings. 

1787  Calvin  Frink,  Henry  Morse,  Jo- 

seph Dickinson. 

1788  Calvin   Frink,  William    Grimes, 

Roger  Thompson. 


1789  Calvin  Frink,  William     Grimes' 

Dan  Guild. 

1790  Calvin  Frink,    Wyman  Richard- 

son, Joseph  Cross. 

1791  Calvin  Frink,  Joseph  Cross,  Wy- 

man Richardson. 

1792  Wyman     Richardson,       Joseph 

Cross,  Samuel  Lane. 

1793  Wyman      Richardson,      Joseph 

Cross,  Amasa  Aldrich. 

1794  Joseph   Cross,    Nehemiah   Cum- 

mings, Daniel  Flint. 

1795  Joseph  Cross,   Neliemiah    Cum- 

mings, Amasa  Aldrich. 

1796  Joseph   Cross,    Amasa    Aldrich, 

Nehemiah  Cummings. 

1797  Joseph   Cross,    Amasa  Aldrich, 

Nehemiah  Cummings. 

1798  Joseph    Cross,  Nehemiah    Cum- 

mings, Amasa  Aldrich. 

1799  Nehemiah      Cummings,       John 

Thompson,  Amasa  Aldricli. 

1800  Joseph  Cross,  Benjamin  Brown, 

Farnum  Fish. 

1801  John  Thompson,  Aquila    Rams- 

dell,  Farnum  Fish. 

1802  John  Thompson,  Farnum    Fish, 

Aquila  Ramsdell. 

1803  John      Thompson,     William    C. 

Belding,  Farnum  Fish. 

1804  John      Thompson,     William    C. 

Belding,  Luther  Wright. 

1805  Joseph  Cross,  Farnum  Fish,  Se- 

lah  Smead. 

1806  Selah  Smead,  Farnum  Fish.  Abel 

Wilson. 

1807  Farnum  Fish,  Selah  Smead,  Abel 

Wilson. 

1808  Farnum  Fish,  Elijah  Belding,  jr., 

Nathan  Whitcomb. 

1809  John  Thompson,  Nathan   Whit- 

comb. 

1810 

1811 

1812 

1813  Abel  Wilson,  Elkanah  Richard- 
son, Edward  Goddard. 


212 


HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 


1814 

1815  Elkanah  Richardson,  Abel  Wil- 

son, Nathan  Whitcorab. 

1816  Jolin  Thompson,  Farnura   Fish, 

Daniel  Wetherbee. 

1817  Abel  Wilson,  Daniel  Wetherbee, 

J'arnum  Fisli. 

1818  Daniel   Wetherbee,  Levi  Blake, 

Edward  Goddard. 

1819  Levi  Blake,  William  Rider,  Wil- 

liam Seaver. 

1820  William  Rider,  Daniel   Wether- 

bee, Faruum  Fish. 

1821  Abel  Wilson,    Wyman  Richard- 

son, Farnum  Fish. 

1822  Farnum  Fish,  Daniel  Wetherbee, 

Ephraim  K.  Frost. 

1823  Farnum  Fish,  Daniel  Wetherbee, 

Shubael  Seaver,  jr. 

1824  Shubael  Seaver,  jr.,  Daniel  Weth- 

erbee, Thomas  Wheelock,  jr. 

1825  John  Stratton,  Edward  Goddard, 

Amos  Bailey. 

1826  Farnum   Fish,     Elijah    Belding, 

Amos  Bailey. 

1827  Elijah    Belding,    Amos     Bailey^ 

Jonathan  D.  Ware. 

1828  Elijah     Belding,    Amos    Bailey, 

Jonathan  D.  Ware. 

1829  Elijah    Sawyer,    Luke    Bennett, 

Joseph  Woodward. 

1830  Elijah     Sawyer,   Luke  Bennett, 

Joseph  Woodward. 

1831  Elijah   Sawyer,    Joseph    Wood- 

ward, Benjamin  Hamblet. 

1832  Elijah  Sawyer,   Benjamin  Ham- 

blet, Zadoc  L.  Taft. 

1833  Benjamin  Ilamblet,  Elijah  Saw- 

yer, Amos  Bailey. 

1834  Benjamin  Ilamblet,  Amos  Bailey, 

Amasa  A  Id  rich. 

1835  Amasa  Aldrich,    Amos  Richard- 

son, Leonard  Whitcomb. 

1836  Amos        Richardson,      Leonard 

Whitcomb,  Helon  Holbrook. 

1837  Oliver   Capron,    William     Read, 

Lyman  Parker. 

1838  Amos     Bailey,    Joseph    Wood- 

ward, Amasa  S.  Rogers. 


1839  Amos      Bailey,     Israel     Applin, 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

1840  Israel    Applin,    J.    W.    Capron, 

Martin  Stone. 

1841  Martin   Stone,    David    Parsons, 

Ever.son  Cook. 

1842  David   Parsons,  Amasa  Aldrich, 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 

1843  Amasa    Aldricii,    Joseph    Ham- 

mond, jr.,  William  Hewes. 

1844  William  Hewes,  Leonard   Whit- 

comb,    Benjamin     F.     Lom- 
bard. 

1845  Benjamin  F.  Lombard,  Everson 

Cook,  Lyman  Parker. 
184G  Everson  Cook,    Lyman    Parker, 
Hardin  Ali)ee. 

1847  Everson    Cook,    Hardin    Albee, 

Amasa  Aldrich. 

1848  Hardin  Albee,   Amasa    Aldrich, 

William  Read. 

1849  Hardin   Albee,    Amasa    Aldrich, 

William  Read. 

1850  William    Read,  William  Hewes, 

Amos  F.  Fish. 

1851  William  Read,  William    Hewes, 

Amos  F.  Fish. 

1852  Daniel   Snow,    William    Hewes 

Virgil  A.  Holbrook. 

1853  Daniel  Snow,  Thomas  T.  Weth- 

erbee, Josiah  Parsons,  jr. 

1854  Paul  F.  Aldrich,  Lyman  Parker, 

Stephen  Faulkner. 

1855  Paul  F.  Aldrich,  Lyman   Parker, 

Stephen  Faulkner. 

1856  William  R.  Flint,  Justus  R.  Rog- 

ers, Alonzo  Ballou. 

1857  William    Read,    Henry     Fames, 

Alonzo  A.  Ware. 

1858  Rufus   Bowen,   Henry    Starkey, 

jr.,  Justus  R.  ]{ogers. 

1859  Stephen      Faulkner,    Josiah    B. 

Cass,  Justus  R.  Rogers. 

1860  Josiah  B.  Cass,  Justus  R.  Rogers, 

William  R.  Flint. 

18G1  Josiah  Parsons,  jr.,  Stephen 
Faulkner,  James  H.  Olcott. 

1862  Josiah  Parsons,  Stephen  Faulk- 
ner, Henry  Abbott. 


TOWN   TREASURERS. 


213 


1863  Josiah  Parsons,  Stephen  Faulk- 

ner, Henry  Abbott. 

1864  Josiah  Parsons,  Stephen  Faulk. 

ner,  Henry  Abbott. 

1865  Josiah  Parsons,  Stephen  Faulk- 

ner, Thomas  T.  Wetherbee. 
1866  Josiah  Parsons,  Stephen  Faulk- 
ner, Thomas  T.  Wetherbee. 

1867  Stephen    Faulkner,    Thomas   T. 

Wetherbee,  Lyman  Holbrook. 

1868  Stephen     Faulkner,  Thomas   T. 

Wetherbee,  Lyman  Holbrook. 

1869  Stephen    Faulkner,   Charles   H. 

Howard,  George  W.  Willis. 

1870  Stephen   Faulkner,   Charles     H. 

Howard,  Alonzo  A.  Ware. 

1871  Stephen    Faulkner,    George    0. 

Capron,  Alonzo  A.  Ware. 

1872  Stephen     Faulkner,    Alonzo    A. 

Ware,  Lyman  N.  Howes. 

1873  Stephen     Faulkner,    Lyman    N. 

Howes,  Josiah  Parsons. 

1874  Stephen     Faulkner,    Lyman    N. 

Howes,  Josiah  Parsons. 

1875  George   W.    Willis,    William   C. 

Belding,  Daniel  B.  C.  Hill. 

1876  George  W.  Willis,  Daniel  B.  C. 

Hill,  Silas  B.  Partridge. 


1877  Stephen  Faulkner,  Daniel  B.  C. 

Hill,  Edmund  Stone. 

1878  Alonzo   A.  Ware,  Silas  B.  Part- 

ridge, Henry  Eanies. 

1879  Alonzo  A.Ware,  Josiah  Parsons, 

Daniel  Snow. 

1880  Josiah    Parsons,    Daniel    Snow, 

Henry  Abbott. 

1881  Josiah  Parsons,  Henry  Abbott, 

Edward  Wilcox. 

1882  Edward  Wilcox,  George  O.  Cap- 

I'on,  Alonzo  A.  Ware. 

1883  Alonzo   A.    Ware,    Daniel  B.    C. 

Hill,  Alonzo  Farr. 

1884  Daniel    B.    C.    Hill,    Frank     S. 

Faulkner,  George  E.  Lane. 

1885  Frank   S.   Faulkner,   George  E. 

Lane,  Benjamin  C.  Snow. 

1886  George  E.  Lane,  Willard  S.  Per- 

ham,  Norris  C.  Carter. 

1887  Frank   S.  Faulkner,    Orleans   S. 

Eaton,  Norris  C.  Carter. 

1888  Frank    S.    Faulkner,    Joseph   L. 

Starkey,  Norris  C.  Carter. 

1889  Frank   S.  Faulkner,    Joseph  L. 

Starkey,  Norris  C.  Carter. 

1890  Frank  S.   Faulkner,   Joseph   L. 

Starkey,  Norris  C.  Carter. 


1767  William  Grimes. 

1768  Jonathan  Hammond. 

1769  Jonathan  Hammond. 

1770  Jonathan  Hammond. 

1771  Joseph  Hammond. 

1772  Samuel  Belding. 

1773  Jonathan  Hammond. 

1774  Jonathan  Hammond. 

1775  David  Belding. 

1776  Samuel  Belding. 

1777  Samuel  Belding. 

1778  Samuel  Belding. 

1779  Samuel  Belding. 

1780  Elijah  Belding. 

1781  David  Belding,  jr. 

1782  Elijah  Belding. 

1783  Daniel  Warner. 

1784  Jonathan  Whitcomb. 


TOWN  TRKASUKERS. 

1785  Roger 

Thompson 

1786  Calvin 

Frink. 

1787  Calvin 

Frink. 

1788  Calvin 

Frink. 

-1789  Calvin 

Frink. 

1790  Calvin 

Frink. 

1791  Calvin 

Frink. 

1792  Calvin 

Frink. 

1793  Calvin 

Frink. 

1816  Elijah  Belding 

1817  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1818  Elijah 

Carpenter, 

1819  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1820  Jonas 

Blodgett. 

1821  Jonas  Blodgett. 

1822  Jonas 

Blodgett. 

,  1823  Jonas  Blodgett. 

Zl-i                                          IIISTOEY    OF   SAV 

182-1  Jonas  Blodgett. 

1858 

1825  Jonas  Blodiicett. 

1859 

1826  Jonas  i:ioilsett. 

1860 

1827  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1861 

1828  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1862 

1820  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1863 

1830  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1864 

1831  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1865 

1832  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1866 

1833  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1867 

1834  Edward  Goddard. 

1868 

1835  Edward  Goddaid. 

1869 

1830  Edward  Goddard. 

1870 

1837  Edward  Goddard. 

1871 

1838  Edward  Goddard. 

1872 

183i>  Edward  Goddard. 

1873 

1840  Edward  Goddar^l. 

1874 

1841  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1875 

1842  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1876 

1843  Elijah  Carpenter. 

1877 

1844 

1878 

1845  Amos  Bailey. 

1879 

184G 

1880 

1847  Heurj'  Baxter. 

1881 

1848  Enoch  Howes-. 

1882 

1849  Enoch  Howea. 

1883 

1850  Lyman  Parker. 

1884 

1851  William  Bead. 

1885 

1852  Elijah  Sawyer. 

1886 

1853  Henry  Baxter. 

1887 

1854  Elijah  Sawyer. 

1888 

1855  Elijah  Sawyer. 

1889 

1856  Amos  Richardson. 

1890 

1857  Willard  Adams. 

Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Joseph  Hammond,  jr. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Enoch  Howes. 
Obadiah  Sprague. 
Alonzo  A.  "Ware. 
Gfeorge  E.  AVhitcomb. 
George  E.  Whitcomb. 
George  E.  'Whitcomb. 
George  E.  Whitcomb. 
George  E.  Whitcomb. 
George  E.  Whitcomb. 
George  E.  Whitcomb. 
George  Carpenter. 
George  E.  Whitcomb. 
George  E.  Whitcomb. 
George  E.  Whitcond^. 
George  E.  Whitcomb. 


SwANZET    MEN    ELECTED   TO    StATE    AND    CoUNTY    OFFICES. 

SENATORS. 

Elisha  Whitcomb,  1793,-94-96-97-98-    Elijah  Carpenter,  1843. 

99-1800-1801,  Benjamin  Bead,  1867-68. 

Elijah  Beidiug,  1820-1840-1841. 


Willard  Adams,  1860. 


CO.MMISSIONKnS. 

Alonzo  A.  Ware,  1872-73-74. 


APrROPRIATIONS. 


215 


APPROPRIATIONS. 


DATE. 

TOWN 
CHARGES. 

SCHOOLS. 

HIGHWAYS. 

DATE. 

TOWN 
CHARGES. 

SCHOOLS. 

HIGHWAYS. 

17G6 

£200 

£100 

1801 

1767 

60 

100 

1802 

1768 

60 

70 

1803 

1769 

60 

1804 

1770 

62 

£8 

30 

1805 

1771 

72 

8 

60 

1806 

1772 

88 

12 

1807 

1773 

78 

3i 

100 

1808 

1774 

64 

20 

20 

1809 

1775 

20 

40 

1810  , 

1776 

20 

1811 

1777 

63 

140 

1812 

1778 

50 

8 

400 

1813 

1779 

167 

900 

1814 

1780 

1000 

4000 

1815 

1781 

130 

7000 

1816 

$G00 

$500 

$700 

178-2 

60 

260 

1817 

750 

700 

1783 

235 

83 

76 

1818 

850 

500 

800 

1784 

66 

30 

100 

1819 

500 

500 

800 

1785 

85 

100 

1820 

700 

500 

1786 

l.iO 

130 

1821 

650 

500 

800 

1787 

69 

60 

1822 

450 

550 

800 

1788 

66 

80 

1823 

800 

550 

1000 

1789 

69 

180 

1824 

GOO 

550 

1000 

1790 

60 

80 

1825 

500 

550 

800 

1791 

34 

61 

100 

1826 

800 

600 

850 

1793 

45 

161 

135 

1827 

800 

1793 

45 

80 

120 

1828 

250  ) 
500  1 

1000 

1794 

1829 

400 

100  L.F. 

1000 

1795 

1830 

400 

654 

1000 

1796 

1831 

400 

600 

1000 

1797 

1832 

1500 

700 

1000 

1798 

1833 

1000 

675 

1400 

1799 

1834 

2000 

571 

1000 

ISOO 

1835 

1000 

675 

1000 

216 


HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 


DATE. 

TOWN 
CHARGES. 

SCHOOLS. 

HIGHWAYS. 

DATE. 

TOWN 
CHARGES. 

SCHOOLS. 

HIGHWAYS. 

1836 

1000 

570 

1000 

1864 

1000 

1294 

1000 

1837 

2000 

1000 

1000 

1865 

1000 

1320 

1000 

1838 

3000 

688 

1000 

1866 

cooo 

1300 

1038 

1S39 

3000 

047 

1000 

1867 

6000 

1351 

1000 

1840 

2000 

700 

1000 

1868 

5000 

1576 

1726 

1841 

1500 

775 

1000 

1839 

1000 

1500 

1000 

1842 

2000 

872 

1000 

1870 

950 

1500 

1000 

1843 

1500 

900 

1000 

1871 

1400 

1640 

1200 

1844 

800 

900 

1000 

1872 

1000 

1633 

1500 

1845 

2000 

900 

1000 

1873 

1000 

1655 

1500 

1846 

3000 

900 

1000 

1874 

1000 

1600 

1500 

1847 

1500 

800 

1000 

1875 

2000 

1754 

1500 

1848 

2500 

1000 

1000 

1876 

2000 

1752 

1500 

1849 

1200  • 

1000 

1000 

1877 

2000 

1773 

1800 

1850 

2000 

1000 

1000 

1878 

1500 

2206 

2000 

1851 

1800 

1000 

1000 

1879 

1000 

2502 

1500 

1852 

1500 

1000 

1000 

1880 

1000 

2345 

2000 

1853 

1500 

1000 

1000 

1881 

1000 

2210 

2000 

1854 

1200 

1200 

1000 

1882 

1000 

2120 

1500 

1855 

2000 

1200 

1000 

1883 

1000 

2276 

1500 

1856 

2000 

1200 

1000 

1884 

1000 

2175 

1500 

1857 

2500 

1290 

1000 

1885 

800 

2918 

1500 

1858 

2500 

1288 

1000 

1886 

1000 

2861 

1500 

1859 

2500 

1288 

1000 

1887 

1000 

2800 

1500 

18(J0 

2200 

1288 

1000 

1888 

1000 

2840 

150O 

1861 

1000 

1288 

1200 

1889 

1200 

2829 

1200 

1802 

1000 

1290 

1200 

1890 

1200 

2963 

1200 

1863 

1000 

1288 

1000 

VOTES  FOR  GOVERNOR. 

Under  the  Constitution  of  1783,  the  chief  magistrate  of  New  Hamp- 
shire was  styled  President;  and  since  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution 
of  1793  he  has  been  called  Governor.  Although  in  the  earlj-  da^-s  of 
the  republic,  part}'  distinctions  were  little  known,  yet  the  politicians 
of  those  days  are  usually  classed  as  belonging  to  the  party  with  which 
they  were  subsequently  allied.     The  general  distinction  of  parties  up 


HON,  ASA  S.  KENDALL, 


VOTES   FOR   GOVERNOR. 


217 


to  1824  was  Federal  and  Republican.  At  this  time  the  Federal  party- 
ceased  to  exist,  and  for  about  ten  years  the  political  forces  of  the  na- 
tion were  known  as  Adams  men  or  Jackson  men,  taking  tlieir  names 
from  their  candidates  for  the  presidential  office.  From  1834  to  1855 
the  rival  parties  were  designated  as  Democratic  and  Whig ;  but  in 
1841  the  Abolition  or  Free  Soil  party  was  organized,  drawing  voters 
from  both  the  Wliig  and  Democratic  parties,  but  principally*  from  the 
former.  In  1855  the  American  or  Know  Nothing  part}'^  suddenly 
appeared  in  New  Hampshire,  electing  its  Governor  by  the  people,  as 
it  did  the  next  year  by  the  Legislature.  Since  1856  the  principal  par- 
ties throughout  the  nation  have  been  known  as  Eepicblican  and  Demo- 
cratic. 

The  following  gives  the  votes  in  Swanzey  for  the  principal  candi- 
dates for  the  chief  magistrate  of  New  Hampshire.  Those  marked 
with  a  *  were  elected. 

The  political  character  of  the  town  may  be  determined  by  its  votes 
for  Governor  and  Presidential  Electors. 


Date.  No.  of  votes. 

1784:  *Meshecli  Weare,  10 

"      George  Atkinson,  Fed.,  21 

"      John  Sullivan,  Fed.,  2 

1785  *George  Atlduson,  Fed.,  50 

1786  George  Atkinson,  Fed.,  45 
"      John  Langdon,  Rep.,  30 

1787  John  Langdon,  Rep.,  76 
"    *  John  Sullivan,  Fed.,  6 

1788  John  Sullivan,^Fed.,  34 


Date 

1788 
1789 


No.  of  votes. 


*John  Langdon,  Rep.,  4 

*  John  Sullivan,  Fed. ,  22 

"     John  Pickering,  Rep.,  25 

1790  John  Pickering,  16 
"  Joshua  Wentworth,  11 
"    *Josiah  Bartlett,  0 

1791  *Josiah  Bartlett,  Rep.,  30 

1792  *Josiah  Bartlett,  Rep.,  43 


1808    John  T.  Gilman,  Fed., 
"      John  Langdon,  Rep., 

1817  *Wimam  Plumer,  Rep., 
"      Jeremiah  Mason,  Fed., 

1818  *William  Plumer,  Rep., 
"      Jeremiali  Mason,  Fed., 

1819  *Samuel  Bell,  Rep., 

1820  *Samuel  Bell,  Rep., 

1821  *Samuel  Bell,  Rep., 

1822  Samuel  Bell,  Rep., 
1828    Samuel  Dinsmoor ,  Rep. , 

"    *Levi  Woodbury,  Rep., 
1824    DavidL.  Morrill,  Adams, 
"      Jeremiah  Smith, 
"      Scattering, 


GOVERNOR. 

82  1825 
120  1826 
158 

61  1827 
167     1828 

51 
142 
176 
217 
236 
185     1831 

32 
151     1832 

34 
8     1833 


1829 


1830 


David  L.  Morrill,  Adams,  190 

♦DavidL.  Morrill,  Adams,  73 

Benjamin  Pierce,  Jack.,  119 

♦Benjamin  Pierce,  Jack.,  141 

Benjamin  Pierce,  Jack.,  138 

♦John  Bell,  Adams,  156 

♦Benjamin  Pierce,  Jack.,  175 

John  Bell,  Adams,  101 

♦Matthew Harvey,  Jack.,  188 

Timothy  Upham,  Adams,  81 

♦Samuel  Dinsmoor,   Jack.,  196 

Ichabod  Bartlett,  Adams,  101 

♦Samuel  Dinsmoor,  Jack.,  191 

Ichabod  Bartlett,  Adams,  29 

♦Samuel  Dinsmoor,  Jack.,  204 


218 


HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 


1833  Arthur  Livermore,  Adams,  2 

1834  *Willirtin  Badser,  Dem.,  229 

1835  *Willium  Badger,  Dem.,  200 

1836  *Isaac  Hill,  Dem.,  205 
"     George  Sullivan,  49 

1837  *Isaac  Hill,  Dem.,  180 

1838  *Isaac  Hill,  Dem.,  239 
"     James  Wilson,  Whig,  124 

1839  *John  Page,  Dem.,  251 
"     James  Wilson,  Whig,  128 

1840  *John  Page,  Dem.,  238 
"      Enos  Stevens,  Whig,  112 

1841  *John  Page,  Dem.,  225 
"      Enos  Stevens,  Whig,  111 

1842  *Henry  Hubbard,  Dem.,  231 
"  John  H.White,  Ind.  D.,  48 
"  Enos  Stevens,  Whig,  30 
"      Daniel  Hoit,  F.  S.,  18 

1843  *Henry  Hubbard,  Dem.,  219 
"  Anthony  Colby,  Whig,  45 
"      Daniel  Hoit,  F.  S.,  20 

1844  *John  H.  Steele,  Dem.,  218 
"  Anthony  Colby,  Whig,  53 
"      Daniel  Hoit,  F.  S.,  37 

1845  *Johu  H.  Steele,  Dem.,  183 
"  Anthony  Colby,  Whig,  52 
"      Daniel  Hoit,  F.  S.,  43 

1846  Jared  W.  Williams,  Dem.,  217 
"  *Antliony  Colby,  W^iig,  78 
"      Nathaniel  S.  Berry,  F.  S.,  36 

1847  *Jared  W.  Williams,  Dem.  245 
"  Anthony  Colby,  Whig,  89 
"      Nathaniels.  Berry,  F.S.,  38 

1848  *  Jared  W.  Williams,  Dem.,  236 
"      Nathaniel  S.  Berry,  F.    S.,  116 

1849  *Samnel  Dinsmoor,  Dem.,  243 
"  Levi  Chamberlain,  Whig,  77 
"      Nathaniel  S.  Berry,  F.  S.,  34 

1850  *Samnel  Dinsmoor,  Dem.,  228 
"  Levi  Chamberlain,  Whig,  50 
"      Nathaniels.   Berry,  F.  S.,  38 

1851  *Samnel  Dinsmoor,  Dem.,  214 
"  Thomas  E.  Sawyer,  Whig,  68 
"      John  Atwood,  F.  S.,  62 

1852  *Noah  Martin,  Dem.,  250 
"  Thomas  E.  SaAvyer,  Whig,  74 
"      John  Atwood.  F.   S.,  62 

1853  *Noah  Martin,  Dem.,  244 
•«      John  H.  White,  F.  S.,  73 


1853  James  Bell,  Whig,  52 

1854  *Nathaniel  B.  Baker,  Dem.,  240 
"  James  Bell,  Whig,  45 
"      Jared  Perkins,  F.  S.,  84 

1855  Nathaniel  B.  Baker,  Dem.,  226 
"      *Ralph  Metcalf,  210 

1856  John  S.Wells,  Dem.,  232 
"    *Ralph  Metcalf,  Am.,  201 

1857  *William  Ilaile,  Rep.,  207 
"      John  S.  Wells,  Dem.,  209 

1858  AsaP.  Cate,  Dem.,  233 
"    *  William  Haile,  Rep.,  201 

1859  Asa  P.  Cate,  Dem.,  228 
"     *Ichabod  Goodwin,  Rep.,  166 

1860  AsaP.  Clate,  Dem.,  244 
"    *Ichabod  Goodwin,  Rep.,  191 

18G1     George  Stark,  Dem.,  215 

"    *NatliauiclS.  Berry,  Rep.,  184 

1862  George  Stark,  Dem.,  207 
"    *Nathaniel  S.  Berry,  Rep.,  142 

1863  Ira  A.  Eastman,  Dem.,  230 
"  *J6sepli  A.  Gilmore,  Rep.,  135 
"      Walter  Harriman,  Ind.  D.,  13 

1864  Edward  W.  Harrington,  D.,  238 
"    ^Joseph  A.  Gilmore,  Rep.,  167 

1865  Edward  W.  Harrington,  D.,211 
"    *Frederick  Smyth,  Rep.,  1^35 

1866  John  G.  Sinclair,  Dem.,  227 
"    *Frederick  Smyth,  Rep.,  137 

1867  John  G.  Sinclair,  Dem.,  229 
"    *Walter    Harriman,    Rep.,  148 

1868  *W alter  Harriman,  Rep.,  180 
"      John   G.  Sinclair,  Dem.,  248 

1869  John  Bedel,  Dem.,  214 
"    *Onslow  Stearns,  Rep.,  142 

1870  *Onslow  Stearns,  Rep.,  153 
"      John  Bedel,  Dem.,  207 

1871  *Onslow  Stearns,  Rep.,  153 
"      John  Bedel,  Dem.,  207 

1872  *EzekielA.  Straw,  Rep.,  148 
"      James  A.  Weston,  Dem.,  242 

1873  James  A.  Weston,  Dem.,  202 
"    *EzekiolA.  Straw,  Rep.,  106 

1874  Luther  McCutchings,  Rep.,  134 
"    *  James  A.  Weston,  Dem.,  224 

1875  *Persou  C.  Cheney,  Rep.,  154 
"      Hiram  C.    Roberts,  Dem.,  238 

1876  Daniel  Marcy,  Dem.,  241 
"      Person    C.    Cheney,  Eep.,  167 


ELECTORAL   VOTES. 


219 


1876  Asa  S.  Kendall,  Temp.,  9 

1877  Daniel  Marcy,  Dem.,  222 
"  Asa  S.  Kendall,  Temp.,  15 
"    *BenjaminF.Prescott,  Rep.,  1G3 

1878  *Beiijamin  F.  Prescott,  Rep. ,  172 
"      Frank  A.  McKeaa,  Dem.,  1G7 

1879  *Natt  Head,  Rep.,  153 
"      Frank  A.  McKean,  Dem.,  169 

1880    Frank  Jones,  Dem.,  228 

"    *Cliarles  H.  Bell,  Rep.,  196 

"      "Warren  G.BroAvn,  Greenback,  28 

1882  Martin  V.  B.  Edgerly,  Dem.,  244 


1882    *Samuel  W.  Hale,  Rep.,  99 

John  F.  Woodbury,  Gr'back,48 

1884      JolmM.  Hill,  Dem.,  201 

."     *Moody  Currier,  Rep.,  149 

"  George  Carpenter,  Gr'back,  59 
1886    Thomas  CogsweU,   Dem.,     172 

"    *Charles  H.  Sawyer,  Rep.,    140 

"  George  Carpenter,  Gr'back,  32 
1888     Charles  H.  Arasdeu,  Dem.,  228 

"  *David  H.  Goodell,  Rep.,  181 
1890    Charles  H.  Amsden,  Dem.,  163 

"    *Hiram    A.    Tuttle,     Rep.,    130 


The  following  are  the  Votes  for  Presidential  Candidates 

SINCE  1816. 


electoral  votes. 


1816  James  Monroe,  Rep., 
Fed., 

1820  James  Monroe,  Rep., 

1824  J.  Q.  Adams,  Whig, 

"  Henry  Clay,  Whig, 

"  Andrew  Jackson,  Dem., 

1828  Andrew  Jackson,  Dem., 

"  J.  Q.  Adams,  Whig, 

1832  Andrew  Jackson,  Dem., 

"  Henry  Clay,  Whig, 

1836  Martin  Van  Buren,  Dem. 

"  W.  H.  Harrison,  Whig, 

1840  M.  Van  Buren,  Dem., 

"  W.  H.  Harrison,  Whig, 

1844  James  K.  Polk,  Dem., 

"  Henry  Clay,  Whig, 

"  J.  G.  Birney,  Lib., 

1848  Zachary  Taylor,  Whig, 

"  Lewis  Cass,  Dem., 

"  J.  G.  Birney,  Lib., 

1852  Franklin  Pierce,  Dem., 

"  Winfleld  Scott,  Whig, 

"  John  P.  Hale,  Free  Soil, 

1856  James  Buchanan,  Dem., 

"  John  C.  Fremont,  Rep., 

"  Millard  Fillmore,  ^Yhig, 


150 

18G0 

63 

ii 

98 

ii 

72 

cc 

25 

1864 

49 

ii 

159 

1868 

155 

ii 

197 

1872 

116 

a 

139 

45 

1876 

244 

t  ( 

143 

211 

1880 

81 

(  i 

3a 

55 

217 

1884 

72 

i  i 

232 

a 

57 

it 

62 

1888 

229 

(  ( 

216 

i  i 

2 

<C 

Abraham  Lincoln,  Rep.,  214 

S.  A.  Douglas,  Dem.,  195 

J.  C.  Breckenridge,  Dem.,  18 

John  Bell,  Whig,  1 

Abraham  Lincoln,  Rep.,  154 

Geo.  B.  McClellan,  Dem.,  260 

U.  S.  Grant,  Rep.,  168 

H.  Seymour,  Dem.,  235 

U.  S.  Grant,  Rep.,  151 

Horace  Greeley,  Dem.,  198 

Scattering,  3 

Samuel  J.  Tilden,  Dem.,  251 

R.  B.  Hayes,  Rep.,  178 

Scattering,  2 

W.  S.  Hancock,  Dem.,  228 

J.  A.  Garfield,  Rep.,  198 

Weaver,  Greenback,  28 

Scattering,  1 

Grover  Cleveland,  Dem.,  196 

James  G.  Blaine,  Rep.,  161 
Benj.  F.  Butler,  Greenback.  55 

St.  John,  Prohibition,  3 

Grover  Cleveland,  Dem.,  228 

Benj.  Harrison,  Rep.,  183 

J.  A.  Streeter,  Greenback,  22 
Clinton  B.  Fisk,  Prohibition,    2 


CHAPTEK  IX. 

Swanzey  Industries. 


Industries  of  Wkst  Swanzey — Factory  Village — East  Swanzby— West- 
port— Spragukville — Swanzey  Center — Graves'  Place — A^'^I.cox 
Shop— Lane  Mill — On  Bridge  Brook — Othkr  Mills — Stores— Hotkls 
— Brick-making — Tanneries — Palm-Leaf  Hats. 

WHILE  agriculture  has  always  been  the  leading  pursuit  of  the 
people  in  Swanzey,  the  manufacturing  interests,  in  some  re- 
spects, have  been  hardly  less  important.  The  streams  of  water  are 
well  adapted  to  furnish  the  propelling  power  for  machinery  and  the 
pine  forests  have  always  supplied  abundant -material  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  wooden  ware. 

This  chapter  is  principally  devoted  to  a  detailed  statement  of  man- 
ufacturing in  the  different  localities  in  town. 

WEST    SWANZEY. 

One  of  the  first  measures  the  proprietors  of  Lower  Ashuelot  took 
into  consideration  after  the  township  had  been  organized  was  to  have 
a  saw-mill  built  at  the  Upper  "Great  Falls"  at  West  Swanzey.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  proprietors  held  at  Concord,  Mass.,  March  16,  1736, 
the  following  vote  was  passed  :  "That  two  hundred  acres  of  land  ad- 
joining to  the  Upper  Great  Falls  in  the  Great  River,  to  lay  as  con- 
venient as  maj'  be  to  said  falls,  be  laid  out  to  Ephraim  Jones  his 
heirs  and  assigns  at  his  or  their  cost,  upon  condition  that  he  the  said 
Ephraim  Jones,  his  heirs  or  assigns  shall  build  a  good  saw-mill  at  said 
falls  on  or  before  the  15th  daj^  of  August  next,  and  maintain  it  ten  j'ears 
at  least,  and  to  saw  for  and  sell  boards  to  the  proprietors  at  the  same 
price  they  generall}'^  are  at  other  places.  Said  land  to  be  laid  out  by 
the  committee  and  surve^'or  which  shall  be  chosen  to  lay  out  the  next 
division  of  land,  and  to  include  said  falls  ;  reserving  free  liberty  for  the 
setting  up  a  grist-mill  at  said  place  when  the  proprietoi'S  shall  think 
it  necessary.  If  he,  the  said  Ephraim  Jones,  his  heirs  or  assigns 
(who  are  to  have  the  liberty  before  siay  other)  shall  decline  it,  and 
(220) 


SAVANZEY   INDUSTRIES.  221 

if  at  the  end  of  said  ten  j'ears  or  any  time  forward  said  Epliraim 
Jones,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  keep  up  and 
maintain  a  saw-mill  at  said  place,  then  the  privilege  conveniency  for 
a  saw-mill  at  said  place  to  revert  to  the  proprietors." 

Mr.  Jones  built  the  saw-mill  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  at  the  low- 
er part  of  the  falls.  The  dam  was  a  number  of  rods  below  where 
the  present  one  stands,  and  some  part  of  the  old  structure  can  be  seen 
at  each  bank  of  the  river. 

At  a  proprietors'  meeting  held  the  sixth  day  of  November,  1738, 
the  following  votes  were  passed  to  encourage  Mr.  Jones  to  build  a 
grist-mill  near  his  saw-mill.  "  Voted  to  raise  the  sum  of  forty  shillings 
on  each  right,  or  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  pounds  for  en- 
couragement towards  building  a  grist-mill  upon  the  Great  River  near 
to  where  the  saw-mill  now  stands  in  said  township,  to  him  or  them  that 
shall  appear  to  enter  into  bonds  to  build  the  same,  on  or  before  the 
first  day  of  Sept.  next  ensuing.  Voted  and  chose  three  men  to  be  a 
committee  to  agree  with  John  Shepard  who  appears  (in  the  name  of 
Ephraim  Jones  of  Concord)  to  enter  into  bonds  to  build  a  grist-mill 
as  above  mentioned. 

Voted,  Tliat  Samuel  Gunn,  Thomas  Cresson  and  Benjamin  Brown 
be  a  committee  to  give  bonds  to  said  John  Siiepard  to  pay  him  the 
money  tiiat  was  voted  to  be  raised  for  encouragement  towards  build- 
ing said  grist-mill,  and  to  take  a  bond  of  said  John  Shepard  to  oblige 
him  to  build  said  mills  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  September  above 
said." 

We  have  no  knowledge  how  long  it  was  before  the  mills  were  de- 
stroyed but  probably  they  were  burned  in  1747  by  the  Indians  at  the 
same  time  they  burned  the  buildings  at  the  Center. 

It  is  not  known  that  any  other  buildings  were  erected  at  West 
Swanzey,  besides  the  mills,  beforq  the  township  was  abandoned.  The 
fact  tliat  there  is  no  evidence  that  the  proprietors  built  a  fort  there 
for  the  protection  of  inhabitants,  goes  to  show  that  none  had  estab- 
lished tliemselves  there  permanently.  The  laborers  in  the  mills  and 
such  as  had  commenced  to  improve  their  land  depended  upon  repair- 
ing to  the  forts  at  the  Center  for  protection  in  case  of  danger. 

Ephraim  Jones,  who  built  the  first  mills,  never  lived  permanently  in 
the  township.  Before  the  settlers  commenced  to  rebuild  where  their 
buildings  had  been  destroyed  he  had  died,  and  his  possessions  revert- 
ed to  the  proprietors  as  he  had  not  maintained  his  mills  long  enough 
to  give  his  heirs  a  clear  title. 

After   the    abandonment   of  the   township   nearly  thirteen   j-ears 


222  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

elapsed  before  successful  efforts  were  made  by  the  proprietors  to  re- 
build the  mills. 

Joseph  Whitcomb  and  his  son  Joseph  had  settled  in  the  east  part 
of  Svvanzej^  previous  to  1760  ;  probably  they  had  obtained  the  right 
to  the  falls  at  ^Yest  Swanzey  previous  to  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors 
held  March  4,  1760,  to  act  upon  the  following  article  :  ''To  see  if  they 
will  grant  to  Capt.  Joseph  Whitcomb,  and  to  any  that  shall  join  with 
bim,  four  acres  of  land  upon  his  or  their  own  right  for  a  mill  yard." 

The  action  of  the  proprietors  upon  the  article  was  as  foUoVvs: 
"  Voted  To  Capt.  Joseph  AVhitcomb  and  his  partners  four  acres  of  land 
to  lay  out  upon  his  or  their  right,  on  condition  that  he  or  they  shall 
build  a  saw-mill  within  two  or  three  years  from  this  time." 

The  above  grant  may  have  been  included  in  the  land  on  each  side 
of  the  falls,  on  the  east  side  of  which  Capt.  Joseph  Whitcomb  and  his 
oldest  son  Joseph  immediately  erected  a  saw-mill  and  grist-mill. 

Joseph  Whitcomb,  jr.,  was  the  most  prominent  business  man  at 
West  Swanzey  between  the  3'ears  1760  and  1790.  Previous  to  his 
removal  to  Grafton,  Vt.,  he  executed  the  following  conveyances  of 
his  property  at  different  times :  To  Joseph  9,nd  Abigail  Whitcomb  all 
his  interest  in  that  part  of  the  Mill  Farm  on  the  west  side  of  Ashuelot 
river  June  1,  1780;  to  Benjamin  Wilson  six  and  one-half  acres  of 
land  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  and  one-half  of  the  saw-mill  thereon, 
March  1,  1785  ;  to  Otis  Capron  a  piece  of  land  on  the  east  side  of 
the  river  for  erecting  a  fulling-mill  with  the  privilege  of  taking  water 
out  of  the  grist-mill  flume,  March  1,  1786;  to  Abijah  AVhitcomb, 
one-half  his  grist-mill  March  3,  1788  ;  to  his  son  Joseph  Whitcomb, 
3d,  all  the  Mill  Farm  which  he  owned,  March  23,  1789  ;  to  Philemon 
Whitcomb  one  acre  of  land  upon  which  the  forge  stood  and  the  water 
power  connected  with  it  Sept.  2,  1790.  The  forge  was  upon  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  and  the  deed  was  executed  after  Mr.  AVhitcomb  had 
removed  to  Grafton,  Vermont. 

Capt.  Joseph  AVhitcomb  and  his  son  Abijah  were  the  first  to  build 
mills  on  the  west  side  of  the  river.  They  commenced  about  1771, 
and  owned  the  property  until  1790,  when  they  sold  to  Philemon  AVhit- 
comb. 

The  operations  of  the  AA^'hitcombs  at  AVest  Swanzey  were  confined 
a  number  of  years  to  the  four  acres  given  them  b}'  the  proprietors  of 
the  township,  and  to  building  mills  on  each  side  of  the  river. 

One  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Lower  Ashuelot  was  James  Ilea- 
ton  of  AVrentiiam,  Mass.  He  did  not  settle  in  the  township,  but  his 
son  James  Heaton,  2d,  did.     The  senior  James  Heaton  became  the 


SWANZEY   INDUSTRIES.  223 

owner  of  the  original  Mill  Farm  after  the  proprietors  had  voted  four 
acres  of  it  to  Capt.  Joseph  AYhitcomb  and  his  partners,  and  also  of 
other  lots  of  land  adjoining  the  Mill  Farm  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river,  lying  at  the  south  and  west  of  it.  These  lots  and  the  original 
Mill  Farm  contained  over  four  hundred  acres  and  was  known  as  the 
"Mill  Farm,"  as  had  been  the  two  hundred  acres  conveyed  to  Ephraim 
Jones  conditionally. 

James  Heaton,  2d,  died  in  the  township  Aug.  14,  1753,  leaving  four 
sons  to  whom  he  bequeathed  the  Mill  Farm,  which  was  ultimately  all 
bought  up  b}^  the  Whitcombs. 

.Joseph  Whitcomb,  1st,  bought  200  acres  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river  in  Sept.,  1770,  and  33  acres  in  1773.  Joseph  Whitcomb,  2nd, 
bought  the  80  acres  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  in  1773.  Abijah 
Whitcomb  bought  100  acres  June  10,  1773. 

Otis  Capron  bought  a  plot  of  the  Whitcombs  for  a  fulling-mill  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river  and  the  right  to  draw  water  from  the  flume 
of  the  grist-mill  sufficient  to  operate  the  mill  March  16,  1786.  Mr. 
Capron,  having  erected  a  mill,  sold  it  Dec.  11,  1789,  to  Richard 
Stratton. 

Mr.  Stratton  carried  on  the  cloth-dressing  business  down  to  the 
time  he  sold  it  to  his  son  John,  who  continued  the  business  by  hiring 
an  experienced  journeyman  and  apprenticing  his  son  Isaac  to  the 
business. 

After  Isaac  reached  his  majority  one-half  the  fulling-mill  was  con- 
veyed to  him  and  later  the  other  half  to  his  brother  Alfred.  About 
the  year  1839  the  brotliers  put  a  carding  machine  into  their  mill  which 
for  a  time  they  operated  in  connection  with  cloth-dressing. 

As  early  as  1842  cloth-dressing  had  been  discontinued  and  making 
wooden  ware  commenced.  At  first,  pails  and  sap-tubs  were  made, 
followed  by  changing  the  machinery  for  making  covered  buckets.  To 
Isaac  and  Alfred  Stratton  belongs  \he  credit  of  being  the  first  persons 
to  make  covered  buckets  by  machinerj'  anywhere.  They  did  not  find 
encouraging  sales  for  their  ware.  Tiie  trade  had  long  been  accus- 
tomed to  hand-made  goods  ;  they  closed  up  the  business  and  sold  the 
machinery.     About  1848  wool  carding  was  discontinued. 

April  6, 1803,  Benjamin  Wilson  sold  his  half  of  the  saw-mill  which 
he  bought  in  1785  to  his  son,  John  Wilson,  who  in  August,  1807,  sold 
it  to  Richard  Stratton.  John  Stratton  obtained  this  half  of  the  saw- 
mill of  his  fatlier.  Philemon  AViiitcomb  became  the  owner  of  his 
father's  half  of  the  old  saw-mill  and  conve3^ed  it  to  his  son  Abijah 
under  date  of  Oct.  4,  1823.     Samuel  Stearns  bought  this  half  of  the 


224  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

mill  in  1827;  Isaac  Stratton  bought  Stearns'  half  and  afterwards  con- 
veyed it  to  his  father.  After  this  conveyance  John  Stratton  contin- 
ued in  possession  of  the  property  until  he  sold  to  the  Stratton  Mills 
Co.  in  1866. 

Probably  Joseph  AYhitcomb  and  his  son  Abijah  commenced  to  build 
a  saw-mill  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  in  1770,  and  continued  in  pos- 
session of  the  property  until  171)0.  At  this  time  they  owned  a  grist- 
mill on  the  same  side  of  the  river.  Doubtless  this  grist-mill  took  the 
place  of  the  one  that  was  previously  built  on  the  east  side. 

In  1790,  Philemon  Whitcomb  bought  these  mills  of  his  father  and 
liis  brother  Abijali.  He  conveyed,  June  4,  1819,  three-fourths  of  the 
mills  to  his  son  Benjamin,  and  to  his  son  Philemon,  one-fourtii,  Oct. 
3,  1823.  Five  days  after  Philemon  Whitcomb,  2d,  took  a  deed  of 
one-fourth  of  the  mills,  lie  sold  to  his  brother  Benjamin. 

Benjamin  Whitcomb,  2d,  became  the  owner  of  these  mills  and  sold 
them  July  30,  1853,  to  John  Stratton,  Alfred  Stratton  and  John 
Stratton,  jr. 

One-half  of  the  forge  property  which  Philemon  Whitcomb  bought  in 
1789  of  his  brother  Joseph  he  conveyed  to  his  son  Jotham  in  1807; 
the  other  half  was  owned  at  one  time  b}^  his  daughter  Damaris,  Mrs. 
Frink.  Nov.  19,  1821,  Samuel  Stearns  bought  of  Jonathan  Ilolbrook 
one-half  of  this  property,  and  Jan.  13,  1824,  Benjamin  AVhitcomb 
bought  one-half  of  it  of  Philemon  AVhitcomb,  2d.  It  is  presumed 
that  Benjamin  Whitcomb  became  ultimately  the  owner  of  the  site  upon 
which  the  forge  was  built,  and  the  water  power  belonging  to  it. 

In  1848  Alfred  Stratton  sold  his  half  of  the  fulling-mill  property  to 
his  brother  John,  In  1850  Isaac  Stratton  sold  his  half  to  his  father 
and  brother  Alfred.  Before  1850  the  making  of  wooden  ware  and 
wool  carding  had  been  discontinued  at  this  place,  and  Alfred  and 
John  Stratton,  jr.,  were  engaged  here  in  the  pelting  business. 

Isaac  Stratton  built  a  steam  mill  near  the  Baptist  meeting-house  in 
1850  and  sold  it  to  Asa  S.  Kendall  in  1867.  Mr.  Stratton  used  the 
mill  mostl}'  for  manufacturing  lumber,  having  a  saw-mill  and  other 
fixtures  necessary  for  such  business.  He  had  been  engaged  a  few 
years  previous  to  selling  in  hides. 

Mr.  Kendall  made  such  changes  and  improvements  as  were  neces- 
sary to  enable  him  to  do  a  large  business  at  tanning  and  currying. 
He  continued  the  business  until  1882,  and  during  these  years  em- 
ployed a  large  number  of  hands. 

For  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  the  lumbering  business,  John  Strat- 
ton, in  1849,  took  as  a  partner  his  son-in-law  Amos  F.  Fish.     Where 


:^^^^(> 


I 


Is 


SWANZEY    INDUSTRIES.  225 

the  old  saw-mill  stood,  they  bnilt  a  large  shop  to  be  used  for  a  saw- 
mill and  various  other  mannfacturing  purposes.  Soou  after  the  build- 
ing was  finished  Elliot  Hammond  put  in  machinery  for  making  doors, 
sash  and  blinds  ;  George  W.  Alexander  and  Benjamin  Marvin,  machin- 
ery for  manufacturing  chair  stock  ;  E.  F.  Read,  machinery  for  making 
boot  forms.  In  a  few  years  Alexander  and  Marvin  discontinued  man- 
ufacturino-  chair  stock,  and  Alanson  S.  Whitcomb  and  Levi  Cross 
leased  the  room  and  commenced  making  brush  woods. 

In  1852,  Franklin  Holman  commenced  making  buckets  in  John 
Stratton's  new  mill.  The  next  year  E.  F.  Read  entered  into  partner- 
shi|i  with  Holman  for  carrying  on  the  same  business.  This  partner- 
ship continued  until  1855,  when  Holman  sold  to  Read  who  continued 
the  business  alone. 

In  1856,  E  F.  Read  and  Elliot  ^y  Lane  formed  a  partnership,  and 
added  manufacturing  of  pails  to  that  of  buckets.  This  partnership 
continued  only  a  few  months  when  Lane  withdrew  and  Read  contin- 
ued alone  until  1863,  when  he  sold  one-half  of  the  business  to  Joseph 
L.  Parker. 

In  1865,  Read  and  Parker  dissolved  their  partnership  and  divided 
their  business  ;  Read  took  tlie  bucket  part  of  the  business  and  Parker 
the  pail  part.  Read  sold  the  bucket  business  in  1867  to  John  Starkey 
and  Oscar  J.  Howard  ;  and  Parker,  at  a  later  date,  sold  the  pail  busi- 
ness to  Elisha  Munsell,  jr.  Henry  Abbott  bought  the  bucket  busi- 
ness of  Starkey  and  Howard 

In  the  spring  of  1873,  a  new  company  was  formed  for  manufacturing 
wooden  ware  at  West  Swanzey,  to  be  known  as  E.  F.  Read  &  Co. 
The  partners  were  Stratton  Mills  Co.,  Charles  L.  Russell  and  E,  F. 
Read.  This  company  bought  the  pail  business  of  Munsell  and  the 
bucket  business  of  Abbott.  At  the  expiration  of  three  years  Read 
sold  his  interest  in  the  business  to  George  E.  A^hitcomb  and  the  firm 
name  was  changed  to  C.  L.  Russell  and  Co.  In  1885  Russell  &  Whit- 
comb  bouoiht  the  interest  of  the  Stratton  Mills  Co. 

Russell  &  Whitcomb  have  had  ample  means,  and  have  done  a  large 
and  successful  business.  They  have  leased  their  mill  of  the  West 
Swanzey  Manf.  Co.  They  have  a  large  store  house  near  the  rail- 
road. It  takes  about  2000  cords  of  pine  sai)lings  and  a  large  quanti- 
ty of  hard  wood  timber  to  stock  their  mill  annually.  They  employ 
forty  hands. 

Frank  L.  Snow  built  a  steam  mill  in  1882  near  the  railroad,  and 
commenced  to  manufacture  lumber,  and  in  1882,  Solon  W.  Snow  & 
Sons  besjan  to  make  boxes  in  the  mill.     In  1883  the  mill  was  burned 
15 


226  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

and  rebuilt  in  1884.  In  1884  Mr.  Snow  commenced  to  make  pnilsin 
his  mill ;  he  uses  some  1500  cords  of  sapling  pines  a  year  for  his  pail 
business  and  employs  twenty-five  hands. 

The  grist-mill  of  Eames  and  Towne,  the  motive  power  of  which  is 
furnished  from  Snow's  steam-mill,  was  built  in  1884. 

The  first  firm  that  made  boxes  at  West  Swanzey  was  John  Slrat- 
ton,  2d,  Alfred  Stratton  and  a  jNIr.  Jaquith.  They  commenced 
the  business  about  1854  in  the  old  fulling-mill  building,  which  was 
owned  at  the  time  b}'^  John  Stratton.  The  two  brothers  bought  the 
building  of  their  father  in  IMay,  1858,  and  sold  it  to  Francis  Morse, 
Daniel  Snow,  and  Gilbert  S.  Howard  Oct.  1,  1858,  and  also  sold  to 
them  their  box  business.  This  firm  continued  uniil  1863,  when  Morse 
sold  out  to  his  partners,  having  been  in  company  wilii  the  Strattons 
in  the  business  some  time  before  his  partnership  with  Snow  and 
Howard. 

Since  1863  the  following  firms  have  carried  on  the  box  business  at 
this  place  :  Daniel  Snow  &  Gilbert  S.  Howard  ;  Daniel  Snow  &  Fran- 
cis Morse  ;  Abner  Thonii)son  &  Solon  W.  Snow  ;  Daniel  Snow  & 
Solon  W.  Snow  ;  Elisha  INIunsell  &  Frank  "L.  Snow  ;  Obadiali  Sprngue 
&  Solon  W.  Snow  ;  Obadiah  Si)rague  &  Orlow  E  Parsons  ;  Orlow  E. 
Parsons,  George  E.  Whitcomb  &  Arthur  H.  Whitcomb.  Fifteen 
hands  are  employed  and  450  cords  of  timber  used  annually. 

Since  1882  Solon  W.  Snow  and  his  son  E.  H.  Snow  have  been  man- 
ufacturing boxes  at  Frank  L.  Snow's  steam-mill.  They  employ  sev- 
enteen hands  and  work  up  five  hundred  cords  of  pine  timber  annually. 

After  the  Strattons  bought  the  Whitcomb  mill  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river  in  1853  the  old  saw-  and  grist-mill  was  taken  down  and  a 
large  Substantial  building  built  at  the  same  place.  The  lower  part  of 
the  new  mill  was  designed  for  a  grist-mill  and  the  upper  part  for  man- 
ufacturing woollen  goods.  John  Stratton,  2d,  had  the  manage- 
ment of  erecting  the  building  and  putting  in  a  grist-mill  which  had  a 
capacity  for  doing  a  large  amount  of  milling.  He  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  his  brother-in-law,  Jotiiam  W.  Frink,  for  manufacturing 
woollen  goods,  the  firm  name  being  J.  W.  Frink  &  Co.  This  firm 
carried  on  the  manufacturing  a  number  of  years  previous  to  its  sale 
to  the  Stratton  Mills  Co. 

In  1866  Laton  Martin,  Obed  G.  Dort,  John  Bowker  and  Obadiah 
Sprague  formed  a  copartnership  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  all  the 
mill  and  water  power  at  West  Swanzey,  and  for  manufacturing  woollen 
and  cotton  goods,  lumber  and  wooden  ware.  John  Stratton  owned 
all  the  mills  on  each  side  of  the  river  except  the  okl  fulling-mill,  which 


SWANZEY   INDUSTRIES.  227 

was  owned  by  Daniel  Snow  and  Gilbert  S.  Howard.  The  company- 
took  deeds  of  all  these  mills  Jan.  24,  1866,  and  also  bought  adjoin- 
ing land  of  Abraham  Stearns,  and  a  blacksmith  shop  of  Ira  Hooper. 
The  company  adopted  the  name  of  Stratton  Mills  Co.,  and  commenced 
business  with  a  capital  of  forty  thousand  dollars.  In  1868  a  new  mill 
was  built  of  brick,  seventy  feet  in  length  and  thirty-five  in  breadth. 
The  g?-ist-mill  was  taken  out  about  1862.  Building  the  new  mill  and 
taking  out  the  grist-mill  gave  room  for  double  the  business  that  was 
had  at  the  commencement.  Tlie  old  fulling-mill  was  rebuilt  in  1876, 
and  has  been  leased  to  different  firms  for  making  boxes.  Firms  en- 
gaged in  making  wooden  ware  have  leased  the  mill  since  it  was  bought 
b}'^  the  Stratton  Mills  Co.  in  1866.  Sprague  and  Martin  bought  Dort's 
interest. 

March  16,  1887,  the  property  of  the  Stratton  Mills  Co.  was  merged 
into  a  stock  company  and  tlie  name  changed  to  West  Swanzey  Man- 
ufacturing Co.  The  capital  of  the  stock  company  was  made  thirt}'- 
four  thousand  dollars,  of  which  Ansel  Dickinson  of  Winchester  took 
fifteen  thousand  and  was  made  president  of  the  company. 

Mr.  Sprague  has  been  the  treasurer  and  manager  of  both  companies, 
excepting  some  three  j^ears  when  he  was  building  and  operating  the 
mills  at  Spragneville. 

The  goods  that  have  been  made  have  consisted  of  black  and  grc}^ 
beaver  cloth,  cashmeretts  and  flannels.  The  company  employ  fift}* 
bands. 

Tiie  main  buildings  of  the  company  are  the  woollen  mill,  50  X  76 
ft.,  three  stories  and  basement;  brick  mill,  50  X  65  ft.,  two  stories 
and  basement ;  box  shop,  50  X  50  ft.,  two  stories  ;  pail  shop,  100  X  40 
ft.,  two  stories  which  was  rebuilt  in  1881  and  a  store  house  near  the 
west  end  of  the  bridge. 

The  first  store  at  West  Swanzey-. was  built  in  1803  b}'  Abraham 
Stearns  where  Mrs.  Asa  S.  Kendall  resides.  In  1807  Mr.  Stearns 
had  as  a  partner  in  trade  Abijah,  his  eldest  son.  In  1808  Asaph 
Stearns  became  a  partner  of  his  brother  Abijah.  Doubtless  the  senior 
Stearns  carried  on  business  here  at  a  later  date  and  had  the  assistance 
of  his  sons  John,  Abraham  and  Samuel.  The  last  of  the  family'  that 
was  in  business  here  was  Samuel  Stearns  and  his  brother-in-law  Joel 
Eaton.  Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  carried  on  business  in  this  store  in  1850 
and  1851. 

John  Stratton  built  a  store  about  1827  where  the  Universalist  church 
now  stands,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  3rd, 
which  continued  about  two  years.  Mr.  Whitcomb  was  alone  in  busi- 
ness in  1829.  The  occupants  during  the  years  1830-32  were  Jonathan 


228  ^  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

and  Hiram  AVhltcomb,  Eveison  Cook  did  business  there  from  1834  to 
1838. 

Mr.  Coolc  built  a  store  on  the  west  side  of  tlie  river  in  1838,  and 
occupied  it  until  1846.  He  connected  a  tailoring  establishment  with 
it  and  sold  to  Amos  F.  and  EzraT.  Fish  in  1846.  They  sold  in  1849 
to  Jothani  W.  Frink  who  carried  on  business  there  until  1865.  The 
subsequent  occupants  have  been  Paul  F.  Aldrich,  jr.,  to  1871,  and 
Salmon  H.  Fox  to  1890. 

Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  built  a  store  near  the  Baptist  meeting-house  in 
1852  and  was  in  business  there  until  he  sold  it  to  Paul  F.  Aldrich,  3rd, 
in  1863,  excepting  the  j'ear  1857,  when  he  leased  it  to  D.  G.  Mason. 
Mr.  Aldrich  occupied  the  store  until  he  sold  it  in  1865  to  Joseph  Ware, 
who  after  doing  business  about  two  ^^earssold  to  Frank  L.  Snow,  who, 
after  being  in  business  some  three  j'ears  exchanged  it  with  A.  S. 
Kendall  for  the  old  No.  11  school-house. 

This  building  was  moved  by  Mr.  Snow  to  the  east  side  of  Railroad 
street  and  fitted  up  for  a  store  in  1880.  He  continued  in  business 
until  1883,  when  he  leased  it  to  C.  C.  Brooks,  later  to  J.  L.  Parker, 
and  in  1885  sold  to  C.  L.  Russell  and  G^.  E.  Whitcomb  who  sold  to 
Salmon  H.  Fox  in  1887. 

The  West  Swanzey  Mainifacturing  Co.  fitted  up  a  store  in  1889  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river,  near  the  bridge  which  is  now  occupied  by 
A.  A.  Emery  for  the  sale  of  dry  goods  and  groceries. 

The  house  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Asa  S.  Kendall  was  built  about  IblO 
b}'  Abraham  Stearns  for  a  tavern,  and  was  managed  many  3'ears  by 
liim  and  his  sons.  John  Grimes,  2nd,  was  in  control  of  tlie  property 
in  1825,  and  Silas  Brewer  in  1832  ;  subsequent  owners  have  been  Josiah 
AYoodward,  Leonard  Whitcomb,  John  Starkey  and  David  Wilson. 
The  last  man  that  kejjt  a  pul)lic  house  here  was  a  Mr.  Richards. 

Everson  Cook  and  Joseph  Hammond,  jr.,  built  the  hotel  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river  in  1840.  Mr.  Cook  bought  Hammond's  interest  in 
1841  and  managed  the  house  until  he  sold  to  Amos  F.  and  J]zra  T. 
Fish  in  1846.  The  following  persons  have  been  in  possession  of  this 
hotel  since  it  was  bought  by  tlie  Fish  brothers  :  Francis  Morse*,  1847 ; 
Adonirani  J.  Aldrich,  W.  G.  Owen,  1849;  Moses  Kinney,  1851; 
Samuel  Mattoon,  1857;  Albert  G.  Hill,  I860;  Henry  Starke^',  jr., 
1865  ;  Homer  Evans  and  family  since  the  last  date. 

A    I'AMILT    OF    BLACKSMITHS. 

Shubael  Seaver,  a  blacksmith,  bought  lot  No.  25  in  the  fourth  range, 
Sept.  25,  1783.  He  settled  upon  this  lot  which  was  in  the  east  part 
of  West  Swanzey.     Of  his  descendants  who  have  been  blacksmiths 


SWANZEY   INDUSTRIES.  229 

nre  his  sons  Shubael,  "William  Hyde  and  John  ;  his  grandsons  Shubael 
and  Luman  W.,  and  his  great-grandson  Liiman  B. 

Other  blacksmiths  at  West  Swanzey  have  been  Zadock  Taft,  Lucius 
Taft,  Moses  Kenney,  George  Hamblet,  Lorenzo  R.  Holbrook,  Alfred 
Seaver,  Ira  Hooper,  Amos  H.  Freeman  and  Frank  0.  Dodge.  0>^  ^  '^ 

SWANZET    FACTORY    VILLAGE. 

The  first  mills  in  Swanze}',  after  the  town  was  re-settled,  were 
built  at  Swanzey  Factory  by  David  Belding,  Joshua  Graves,  Elisha 
Scott  and  Abner  Graves. 

The'  proprietors  of  Keene  encouraged  the  building  of  these  mills  by 
granting  to  the  above-named  men.  May  29,  1759,  as  follows  :  "The 
liljert^-  to  turn  the  water  of  the  stream  known  by  the  name  of  the  East 
Branch,  in  the  most  convenient  place  for  the  use  of  a  saw-mill  and 
corn-mill,  and  shall  have  the  liberty  and  privilege  of  said  stream  so 
much  as  to  be  sufficient  to  support  said  mills  so  long  and  upon  these 
conditions  hereafter  named,  viz.  :  Tiiat  they  will,  in  the  space  of  two 
years  time,  build  and  fit  a  good  saw-mill  and  corn-mill,  and  that  the 
inhabitants  and  residents  of  the  town  of  Keene  shall  have  as  sood 
privileges  both  in  sawing  and  grinding  as  the  inhabitants  of  Swanzey 
— passable  logs  to  be  sawed  for  the  value  of  the  one-half  of  the  boards 
from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times;  and  when  the  abovesaid  gentle- 
men shall  cease  or  neglect  to  keep  mills  there  in  good  repair,  to  answer 
the  necessity  of  this  township  for  sawing  and  grinding,  then  said 
privilege  to  return  to  this  propriety  again." 

The  proprietors  of  Swanzey  held  a  meeting  at  the  meeting-house 
June  1,  1759,  and,  to  encourage  these  men  in  the  undertaking,  voted 
to  give  them  "fift}'  acres  of  land  to  be  laid  out  to  said  undertakers  so 
as  to  accommodate  the  mills  they  engage  to  build  and  keep  in  good  re- 
pair for  the  space  of  ten  ^ears,  to  grind  and  saw  as  is  the  common  cus- 
tom at  other  mills,  or  otherwise  the  land  to  return  to  the  proprietors 
again." 

Abraham  Graves,  "William  Carr  and  Jonathan  Hammond  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  lay  out  the  land.  The  la3'out  was  irregular  in 
form,  extending  from  Keene  line  southwesterly  so  as  to  include  the 
entire  privilege. 

After  the  digging  of  the  canal  and  the  erection  of  the  mills  on  the 
land  thus  conveyed,  David  Belding,  on  the  16th  of  Se[)tember,  17G1, 
conve3'ed  one-fourth  of  the  saw-  and  grist-mill  to  Joshua  and  Abner 
Graves  ;  later,  having  bought  the  fourth  interest  of  Elisha  Scott,  they 
became  sole  proprietors  of  the  mills,  Feb.  28,  1765.  In  Feb.  16, 
1767,  Abner  Graves  sold  his  interest  to  David  Griffith,  who  sold  one- 


230  HISTORY    OF   SWAKZEY. 

half  of  his  right  to  William  GiifliLh  ;  Aug.  21,  1799,  David  Tvvitchell 
and  AVillard  Aldfich  purchased  the  half  interest  of  Joshua  Graves, 
and  in  October  the  same  year,  bought  the  other  half  of  David  and  Wil- 
liam Grillilh.  Later,  Selah  Sinead  became  an  owner  in  said  mills.  Still 
later,  Naihaniel  Cuniinings,  Aug.  22,  lb05,  became  owner,  and  sold 
to  Daniel  Adams  May  2,  1809  ;  and  Jan.  30,  1811,  it  came  into  pos- 
session of  the  Swanzey  Factory  Co.  This  company  was  chartered  by 
the  legislature  June  16,  1810,  with  a  cai)ital  of  $40,000,  for  the  pur- 
pose of ''spinning  cotton  and  woolen  yarn  or  weaving  the  same  into 
cloth." 

Tlie  corporate  members  of  the  company  were  Samuel  Dinsmore, 
Aquilla  Ramsdell,  Josiah  Woodward,  William  C.  Belding,  John 
Thompson  and  associates. 

At  lirst  only  cotton  yarn  was  made.  At  this  time  weaving  cotton 
cloth  by  the  power  loom  had  not  been  successfully  accomplisiied,  and 
yarn  was  distributed  among  families  to  be  woven  with  the  hand-loom. 
Some  years  after  the  mill  was  built  looms  were  put  into  it  for  weav- 
ing. William  Ryder  became  a  stockholder  and  a  manager  of  the 
mill  soon  after  it  was  built.  It  1822  and  later  Jolui  Cliamberlain  had 
the  management  of  it.  Some  of  the  men  engaged  in  operating  the 
mill  at  different  times  between  1830  and  1848,  when  tiie  mill  was 
burned,  were  Archer  Campbell,  1832;  George  Oliver,  1835;  Jarvis 
Bates  and  brothers,  1840;  W.  F.  &  A.  P.  Barnes,  1847-1848. 

The  saw-mill,  with  machiner^^  for  manufacturing  pail  stock,  the 
grist-mill  and  the  mechanical  shop,  while  owned  by  the  factory  cor- 
poration, usually  had  a  separate  management  from  that  of  the  factory. 
David  Page  was  the  occupant  of  the  mechanical  shop  for  a  long  time. 
Jonathan  Martin  was  the  chief  miller  from  1820  to  the  time  of  his 
death  in  1832. 

May  13,  1813,  Jonathan  Locke  bought  a  water  power  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  cotton  factory  Jor  a  cloth-dressing  establishment,  and 
leased  of  them  a  piece  of  land  upon  which  to  erect  the  buildings.  He 
built  and  carried  on  the  business  a  number  of  years,  when  on  ac- 
count of  some  dissatisfaction  he  bought  the  property  at  what  is  now 
Spragueville  and  moved  his  building  and  machinery  there. 

After  the  cotton  factory  was  buined,  Abel  Bowers  of  Leominster, 
Mass.,  bought,  July  10,  1849,  what  was  left  of  the  corpoiation  prop- 
ert}'',  which  consisted  of  a  saw-mill,  grist-mill,  a  shop  and  two  dwell- 
ing houses,  and  which  was  in  rather  a  dilapidated  condition.  The 
men  who  executed  the  deed  were  John  Wood,  A.  &  T.  Hall,  Levi 
Willard,  Samuel  Dinsmore,  Aaron  Appleton,  John  lillliot,  Samuel 
Wood,  Eliphalet  Briggs,  Samuel  Cooper  and  Salma  Hale. 


I  SWANZEY    INDUSTRIES.  231 

Mr.  Bowers  engaged  in  making  combs.  He  sold  the  shop  and  comb 
business  Nov.  20,  1850,  to  Anson  Low  of  Clinton,  Mass.,  and  the 
saw-  and  grist-mill,  March  4, 1852,  to  Daniel  Thompson  and  Elbridge 
G.  "W^hitcomb  of  Keene. 

After  the  mills  were  bought  by  Thompson  and  Whitcomb,  they 
were  for  a  time  occupied  by  Alonzo  and  Benjamin  Wilson. 

Orren  Dickinson  bought  the  comb  shop  of  Mr.  Low,  Nov.  5,  1851, 
and  continued  to  own  the  plat  during  his  life.  He  built  a  large  sub- 
stantial buihling  where  tlie  comb  shop  stood,  soon  after  making  the 
purchase.  He  has  used  the  building  for  a  grist-mill  and  for  a  manu- 
factory of  doors,  sash  and  blinds.  In  the  grist-mill  there  has  been 
done  a  large  amount  of  milling,  and  in  the  shop  a  numl)or  of  hands 
have  been  eraplo^yed  most  of  the  time  in  manufacturing  either  doors, 
sash  or  blinds.  Some  of  Mr.  Dickinson's  sons  have  been  connected 
witii  him  in  the  business  a  number  of  ^^ears  past,  and  some  of  the  time 
he  lias  had  Timotliy  Slierman  also  for  a  partner. 

Daniel  Thompson  deeded  his  half  of  the  saw-  and  grist-mill  to 
Elbridge  G.  Whilcomli,  May  23,  1853,  and  the  next  day  Mr.  Whit- 
comb deeded  them  to  Lewis  Carpenter  and  Benjamin  Wilson.  Sept. 
14,  1853,  Asa  B.  Clark  bouglitthe  mills  of  Carpenter  and  Wilson  and 
sold  them  to  Carpenter  Oct.  19,  1853. 

Wiiile  Mr.  Carpenter  owned  the  mills,  they  were  burned  and  the 
site  sold  to  Franklin  Holman,  Aug.  8,  1854. 

Mr.  Holman  rebuilt  where  the  mills  had  been  burned  and  sold  to 
Ephi'aim  Murdock,  June  27,  1856.  There  had  been  put  into  the  build- 
ing which  Holman  built,  before  he  sold  it,  a  saw-mill,  a  grist-mill  with 
three  sets  of  stones,  machinery  for  manufacturing  pail  stock  and  pails. 
Soon  after  Mr.  Murdock's  purcliase,  the  mill-stones  were  taken  out 
and  the  making  of  pails  was  not  continued  here  b}^  Murdock. 

Mr.  Murdock's  purchase  included  the  site  where  the  cotton  factory 
stootl,  and  he  immediately  built  a  shop  here  to  be  used  for  making 
pails  exclusively,  and  using  the  old  grist-  and  saw-mill  place  for  manu- 
facturing his  pail  stock.  The  making  of  pails  here  was  continued  by 
Mr.  Murdock  until  a  few  years  before  his  death,  when  he  built  a  new 
shop  on  lower  ground  a  few  rods  to  the  west,  into  which  the  pail 
machinery  was  placed,  the  old  shop  being  used  for  painting  and  stor- 
ing pails. 

Mr.  Murdock  died  in  the  spring  of  1882,  about  twenty-six  years 
from  the  time  he  bought  here.  During  this  time  he  seldom  stopped 
his  machinery  unless  it  was  to  make  necessary  repairs,  and  the  amount 
of  goods  manufactured  was  large.     The  men  associated  with  him  as 


232  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

partners  or  enii)lo3'ed  as  foremen  were  William  N.  Nason,  George  W. 
Tenney,  Josepli  N.  Foristall  and  Edwin  Parks, 

Geoige  W.  Garfield  bought  of  the  Murdock  estate  the  establish- 
ment in  1883  and  sold  it  to  Elisha  IMunsell  in  1887.  The  amount  of 
goods  made  l^y  Mr.  Garfield  annual  1}'  was  much  less  than  that  made 
b\'  Mr.  IMiirdock. 

Mr.  Munsell  has  made  such  changes  since  he  bought  that  a  nuieh 
larger  amount  of  manufacturing  can  be  done  than  was  done  by  Mur- 
dock, but,  in  part,  of  different  goods.  Tlie  mill  l)uilt  by  Mui'dock  on 
the  old  factory  site,  has  been  moved  and  placed  on  the  south  end  of 
the  last  one  which  Murdock  built,  and  has  been  fitted  up  for  making 
boxes.  The  machinery  in  what  was  the  pail  shop  has  been  changed 
to  maehiner}^  for  making  buckets  and  leased  to  George  and  Andrew 
Fuller.  A  room  has  been  fitted  up  in  the  saw-mill  building  for  mak- 
ing pails  and  has  been  leased  to  John  P.  Rust,  who  employs  ten  hands 
and  uses  500  cords  of  timber  a  year. 

H.  J.  Fowler  is  occupying  the  box  shop.  He  employs  fifteen  hands 
and  uses  700  cords  of  timber  annually. 

The  most  noted  public  house  in  Swanzey  is  in  this  village.  It  was 
known  for  a  long  time  as  the  Underwood  Tavern.  It  is  probable  that 
it  was  opened  to  the  public  by  Joshua  Graves,  2d,  about  the  time  the 
turnpike  was  built.  Timothy  Underwood,  of  Northl)oro',  Mass., 
bought  it  of  Graves  in  181G  and  sold  it  May  11,  1816,  to  his  brother 
James  Underwood,  who  owned  it  from  this  time  until  his  death  Jidy 
4,  1832.  Subsequent  owners  or  occupants  have  been  Israel  Brown, 
Daniel  ^Y.  Kimball,  1840  ;  George  AV.  Ilolbrook,  1843  ;  Franklin  Good- 
uow,  1847  ;  Lewis  Carpenter,  Robert  Hamilton,  Percey  and  Lampson, 
William  I.  Sawyer,  1859;  Dana  Fuller,  1872;  George  G.  Bidwell, 
Henry  T.  Bidwell,  Albert  N.  Howe  and  his  heirs.  Howe  bought  the 
stand  in  1880  of  Henry  T.  Bidwell. 

The  large  house  owned  by  Charles  H.  Forbush  was  a  public  house 
muth  of  the  time  between  1800  and  1850.  Jonathan  Locke,  Elisha 
Sinionds,  Israel  Brown  and  others  occupied  it  for  this  purpose. 

EAST    SWANZEY. 

Oct.  25, 1763,  John  Whiteomb  boughtthree  lots  in  that  part  of  Swan- 
zey which  was  taken  from  Richmond.  The  lots  were  No.  32  in  the  tliird 
range,  and  Nos.  31  and  32  in  the  fourth  range.  Those  in  tlie  fourtli 
range  were  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  east  line  that  bounded  Swan- 
zey as  it  was  first  laid  out.  Mr.  AV^hitcomb  established  his  home- 
stead near  the  southwest  corner  of  lot  No.  31,  on  the  si)ot   where 


SWANZEY    INDUSTRIES.  233 

Henry  Bowen's  l)uiklings  now  stand.     All  the  mills  in  East  Swanzey 
are  on  these  Whitcomb  lots. 

Tlie  first  dam  on  the  South  Branch  was  built  by  Mr.  Wliiteomb 
about  1780.  It  was  located  at  the  same  place  where  that  at  Rams- 
dell's  upper  privilege  now  stands.  Adjacent  to  it  at  the  same  period 
he  built  a  saw-mill  and  a  gi'ist-mill.  The  mills  were  burned  some 
years  after  this,  and  rebuilt  by  Mr.  Whitcomb.  In  1802  he  conveyed 
them  to  his  son  Thomas,  who,  in  1803,  sold  them  to  Philo  Sanford  of 
Medwa3^  Mass.  Joel  Mellen  bought  them  in  1806  and  retained  pos- 
session of  them  till  1817,  when  he  sold  them  to  William  Ryder  and 
Phineas  Stone.  Ryder  and  Stone  built  a  two-story  mill  and  dug  a 
canal  for  obtaining  the  water  power.  The  mill  was  built  where  Rams- 
dell's  now  stands.  The  grist-mill  was  put  into  the  lower  part,  and 
machinery  for  making  cotton  yarn  into  the  upper  part.  In  1821  Mr. 
Ryder  sold  to  Henry  Cooper.  After  this  sale  the  making  of  cotton 
yarn  was  discontinued.  Mr.  Cooper  continued  to  own  one-half  of  the 
mill  nearly  two  years  when  he  sold  to  Phineas  Stone,  Dec.  24,  1822. 
Mr.  Stone,  while  he  owned  the  mills,  was  engaged  in  manufacturing 
lumber  for  the  market  down  the  Connecticut  river.  April  18,  1825, 
Mr.  Stone  sold  to  Lyman  and  Roswell  Parker. 

The  Parkers  engaged  quite  extensively  in  manufacturing  lumber  for 
the  Connecticut  river  trade.  Into  the  room  where  cotton  yarn  had 
been  made  they  put  a  carding  machine.  About  1829  the  grist-mill 
building  was  burned  and  everything  connected  with  it.  The  mill  was 
immediatelv  rebuilt  but  the  business  of  wool  carding  was  not  resumed. 
In  1831  Lyaian  bouglit  out  his  brother  Roswell  and  owned  the  mills 
to  March  14,  1840,  when  he  sold  to  Benjamin  Page  and  James  Sib- 
ley Taft. 

While  IMr.  Lyman  Parker  was  the  owner,  he  built,  for  manufactur- 
ing pail  stock,  a  mill  which  was  connected  with  the  saw-mill.  Messrs. 
Page  and  Taft  built  an  addition  to  the  grist-mill  building. 

After  a  short  time  Pnge  obtained  Taft's  interest  in  the  mills,  and 
for  several  years  various  persons  at  different  times  liad  the  manage- 
ment of  the  saw-  and  grist-mill.  A  Mr.  Winzell  made  shoe  pegs  in 
the  mill  connected  with  the  saw-mill,  and  Benjamin  Read,  for  a  few 
years,  occupied  a  part  of  the  grist-mill  building  for  making  boot  forms. 
In  1847  C.  G.  Ramsdell  was  making  chairs  in  the  upper  room  of  the 
grist-mill. 

For  some  two  years,  including  the  yeav  1848,  Martin  Mason  and 
Russell  B.  Hall  had  possession  of  the  mills.  During  this  time  Elliot 
W.  Lane  and  Moses  D.  Ballon  commenced  to  make  bailed  boxes  in 


234  HISTOIIY    OF    SWANZEY. 

the  saw-mill  shop.  This  business  passed  from  Lane  and  Ballon  to  A. 
W.  Banks,  who  continued  the  box  business  several  years,  after  which, 
till  1859,  he  manufactured  pail  handles. 

Soon  after  Mason  and  Hall's  possession  of  the  mills,  Nathan  Winch 
made  a  contract  with  Page  to  manufacture  pails  for  him  in  the  grist- 
mill building;  and  for  obtaining  the  necessary  room  for  the  pail 
machinery  the  grist-mill  was  removed.  Mr.  Winch  made  pails  here 
about  three  years,  1849-51.  From  the  time  that  V/inch  gave  up 
the  bnsiness  Benjamin  Read  had  the  management  of  the  pail  business 
nntil  the  mill  was  burned,  April  26,  1855.  During  some  of  these 
years  a  small  shop  attached  to  the  grist-mill  building  was  occupied 
by  A.  W.  Read  for  making  various  kinds  of  wooden  ware. 

After  the  fire  in  1855  Pago  built  what  is  now  the  west  i)art  of  the 
mill  owned  by  the  Ramsdells.  The  principal  business  curried  on 
previous  to  Mr.  Page's  death  in  January,  1859,  wasmakingclothes-pins 
bj-  parties  who  hired  the  mill.  These  parties  were  Philo  A[)i)lin  and 
Daniel  E.  Woodward,  Elkanah  and  Fred  A.  Lane  and  J.  Mason  Reed. 
Reed  had  been  occupjing  the  mill  some  two  years  at  the  time  of  Mr. 
Page's  death. 

June  30.  1859,  Benjamin  Read  l)ouglit  at  auction  all  the  mills  and 
real  estate  which  Mi-.  Page,  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  owned  in  East 
Swanze}'.  He  innnediatcly  conveyed  the  upper  mill  [jroperty  to 
Alanson  W.  Banks  and  J.  Mason  Reed.  During  their  ownership  they 
manufactured  pail  handles,  clothes-pins  and  chair  stock.  Sept.  20, 
1866,  they  sold  to  Merrill  C.  Peavey.  While  Mr.  Peavey  owned  the 
mill,  Luther  S.  Lane,  Elkanah  Lane  and  Frederic  A.  Lane  occupied 
a  part  of  it  for  making  wool  mattresses,  and  Luther  S.  Lane  a  part 
for  making  pail  handles. 

After  the  purchase  of  Banks  and  Reed  the  saw-mill  and  the  adja- 
cent mill,  not  being  much  used,  went  to  decay,  and  were  washed  away 
in  the  great  freshet  in  September,  1869. 

Nov.  9,  1871,  Mr.  Peavey  sold  to  D.  E.  Woodward,  who  built  the 
east  part  of  the  mill,  run  it  several  years,  making  pail  stock  and  pails, 
and  then  conveyed  it  to  E.  Murdock,  jr.,  of  AVinchendon,  Mass. 

After  INlr.  IVIurdock's  death,  the  establishment  was  bought  hy  J.  M. 
Ramsdell  in  hS82.  He  has  made  ditlerent  kinds  of  wooden  ware,  em- 
ploys some  twenty  hands,  and  uses  seven  hundred  cordis  of  pine,  hem- 
lock and  hard  wood  annually. 

At  the  next  mill-site  down  the  river  Elisha  Whitcc^mb  built  a  saw- 
mill and  a  mill  lor  wool  carding,  about  1805.  He  died  in  1814,  and 
during  the  next  twenty  j-ears  the  saw-mill  was  owned  in  various  pro- 


SWANZEY    INDUSTRIES.  235 

portions  and  at  different  times  by  the  heirs  of  Mr.  "Whitcomb,  by  Joel 
Mellen,  Henry  Cooper,  Israel  Applin,  William  Aldrich,  Nathan  Winch, 
Josepli  Putney,  Ezra  Emerson  and  Ebenezer  Howard. 

Mr.  Wiiitcomb  and  Mr.  Cooper  built  an  addition  to  the  mill,  into 
one  part  of  which  Mr.  Whitcomb  manufactured  shingles,  and  into  the 
other  Mr.  Cooper  put  a  turning  lathe. 

For  about  twenty  years  after  the  death  of  Elisha  Whitcomb  the 
carding-mill  was  occupied  by  Joseph  Whitcomb  and  was  largely  pat- 
ronized by  people  from  this  and  adjoining  towns. 

In  1821  Roswell  Randall  bought  of  the  Whitcomb  heirs  some  land 
on  which  he  built  a  mill  and  carried  on  the  business  of  custom  cloth- 
dressing  until  he  sold  to  Asahel  Randall  and  Asahel  Randall,  2d,  in 
Nov.,  1826.  During  the  ownership  by  the  Randalls  the  business  was 
carried  on  some  of  the  time  by  Calvin  Br^'ant  and  after  him  by  Na- 
thaniel Poland. 

The  Randalls  sold  their  mill  to  Benjamin  Page  in  1828.  At  this 
time  Page  was  making  flannels  at  the  old  homestead  where  Mrs. 
Alonzo  Ballon  now  lives,  with  machinery  propelled  by  hand.  He 
moved  the  business  to  this  mill  and  continued  it  some  two  years  when 
he  substituted  for  it  the  making  of  pails.  These  were  the  first  pails 
made  by  machinery  in  Swanzey,  and  were  nearly  the  first  made  any- 
where. A  few  had  been  made  at  that  time  in  South  Keene,  in  Marl- 
borough and  Troy. 

Mr.  Page  enlarged  his  mill,  a  part  of  the  addition  being  used  for  a 
store;  and  in  1836  bought  the  adjoining  mill,  thus  owning  the  entire 
privilege.  In  1839  the  mills,  store  and  dwelling-house  owned  by 
Mr.  Page  were  burned.  A  dwelling-house  standing  near  the  bridge, 
wliich  he  did  not  own,  was  also  burned.  The  buildings  burned  formed 
a  continuous  line  reaching  from  the  bridge  to  the  saw-mill.  They 
were  in  good  condition  and  made  a  creditable  appearance.  The  main 
building  was  two  stories  high,  had  upon  it  a  bell  deck  in  which  there 
was  a  bell.  Mr.  Page  estimated  his  loss  at  seven  thousand  dollars, 
and  he  had  no  insurance. 

He  rebuilt  the  saw-mill  and  a  small  pail  shop.  Benjamin  Read 
managed  this  mill  most  of  the  time  till  the  death  of  Mr.  Page.  Levi 
M.  Wellington  made  bailed  boxes  in  the  pail  shop  one  or  two  years, 
about  1851. 

Josiah  M.  Read  bought  this  property  in  1859  and  sold  it  to  C.  G. 
and  R.  R.  Ramsdell,  Oct.  13,  1871.  During  these  years  Benjamin  Read 
manufactured  pails  here,  excepting  the  year  1868,  when  Harvey  Sar- 
gent had  the  management  of  the  pail  business.     After  the  Ramsdells 


236  HISTORY   OF   SWAXZEY. 

bought  the  property,  various  kinds  of  wooden  ware  were  made,  until 
the  mills  were  burned  in  Februar}-,  1883.  They  have  not  been  re- 
built.    The  site  is  owned  by  James  M.  Ramsdell. 

In  August,  1831,  Benjamin  Page  bought  the  land  and  water  power 
of  Geoi-ge  Bucklin,  where  the  pail  shop  of  Wilder  P.  Clark  stands.  He 
immediately  built  a  large  pail  shop  here  and  fully  equipped  it  for 
manufacturing  pail  stock  and  pails. 

William  and  SamuelTtMiney,  Davis  Wilson,  Chester  Lyman.  Henry 
S.  Applin  and  Benjamin  Road  made  pails  at  this  place  for  Mr.  Page 
at  different  times. 

Asa  B.  Clark  bought  the  property  in  1859  and  manufactured  pails 
till  he  sold  to  John  S.  Sargent  in  March,  1865.  Mr.  Sargent  soon 
after  sold  to  Jesse  W.  Murphy,  Silas  B.  Partridge  and  Daniel  E. 
Woodward,  and,  Jan.  11,  186G,  Partridge  conveyed  his  interest  in  the 
proi)erty  to  Mr.  Murphy. 

Mr.  Murphy  and  Mi'.  Woodward  continued  the  business  till  Mr. 
Woodward  sold  to  Calvin  Alexander  in  October,  1871,  his  third,  and 
Mr.  Murphy  sold  to  Mr.  Alexander  at  the  same  time  one-sixth  of 
his  two-thirds. 

Murphy  and  Alexander  were  in  company  from  1871  to  Nov.  20, 
1879,  when  INIurphy  sold  to  Alexander.  During  this  time  the  old 
mill  was  burned  and  the  present  one  built. 

After  Mr.  Alexander  became  the  owner  of  all  the  mill,  his  son-in- 
law,  Herbert  W.  Mason,  was  associated  with  him  in  business  several 
years.  The  property  was  sold  to  Wilder  P.  Clark  of  Wiuchcndon, 
Mass.,  in  September,  1884. 

From  that  time  to  the  present,  Mr.  Clark  has  been  the  owner,  and 
the  manufacturing  l)usiness  has  been  managed  for  him  by  Cliarles  H. 
Applin.  About  GOO  cords  of  pine  timber  are  used  annually  and  ten 
men  employed. 

In  1849  Nelson  Howe  of  Fitzwilliam  and  his  brother- in-law,  G.  G. 
Willis,  of  this  town,  built  a  large,  substantial  mill  where  that  of  G. 
F.  Lane  now  stands.  They  made  pails  and  wash-tubs.  In  1853, 
Howe  sold  to  Asa  B.  Clarke,  another  brother-in-law.  Willis  and 
Clarke  were  in  company  till  Dec.  20,  1855,  when  Willis  sold  his  in- 
terest to  Clarke.  The  latter,  in  1857,  conveyed  the  property  to  "^^'i His, 
who  built  an  additiou  to  the  mill,  added  also  the  making  of  buckets, 
and  for  about  ten  years  did  a  very  flourishing  business,  making  the 
best  of  goods,  for  whicli  there  was  a  ready  market. 

Oct.  5,  18G8,  Nathan  AVinch  and  George  F.  Bucklin  l)ouglit  the  es- 
tablishment and  sold  it  to  G.  F.  Lane,  Oct.  20,  18G9.     In  the  spring 


SWANZEY    INDUSTRIES.  237 

of  18G9  the  mill  was  burned.  Mr.  Lane,  soon  after  his  purchase,  re- 
built the  main  building  now  standing,  and  has  at  different  times  built 
the  storehouse,  the  addition  to  the  main  building,  and  the  connecting 
building.  He  with  his  son,  C.  M.Lane,  as  manager,  employ  twenty- 
five  men  and  use  annually'  about  1,200  cords  of  pine,  200  of  hemlock 
and  100  of  hard  wood. 

About  1831  Henry  Cooper  and  Helon  Holbrook  built  a  store  west 
of  the  bridge  on  the  triangle  between  the  three  roads.  Mr.  Holbrook 
sohl  goods  in  it  some  six  years.  Subsequently  it  was  occupied  by 
Benjamin  Page,  and  from  1842  to  1849  Benjamin  Read  did  business 
here  most  of  the  time. 

Mr.  Read  built  the  store  east  of  the  bridge  in  1850  and  occupied  it 
till  18G3,  when  Moses  D.  Ballon  continued  the  business  till  the  time 
of  his  death  in  November,  1865.  Some  parts  of  the  years  1867-68 
George  Oliver  was  in  business  here.  From  1873  to  1880  A.  B.  Read 
kept  his  stock  of  goods  at  this  place.  Li  1883  Martin  L.  Lane  bought 
the  store  and  occupied  it  one  or  two  years.  From  1886  to  1888  George 
W.Willis  was  the  owner  and  occupant.    Willis  sold  to  A.  B.  Read. 

For  a  few  years  previous  to  1873  a  stock  of  goods  was  kept  and 
sold  by  Murphy  &  AVoodward  and  Murphy  &  Alexander  in  one  of 
their  dwelling-houses. 

Tlie  store  now  occupied  by  A.  B.  Read  was  fitted  up  for  him  in  1881 
by  Alexander  and  Mason,  and  has  been  occupied  by  him  since  that 
time. 

G.  F.  Lane's  dwelling-house  near  the  mill  was  built  by  G.  G.  Wil- 
lis for  a  store,  and  a  stock  of  goods  was  kept  in  it  by  him  a  number 
of  years.  Since  Mr.  Lane  has  owned  it  goods  were  sold  from  1874 
to  1878. 

WESTPORT. 

The  Lower  Falls,  so-called,  and  the  surrounding  territorj^  were  laid 
out  in  1774  to  Capt.  Samuel  Brown  and  Moses  Boardmau  Williams, 
it  being  a  seventh  division  lot  containing  fifty  acres. 

The  best  record  that  has  been  found  to  indicate  when  mills  were 
built  on  this  site  is  the  following  vote  of  Swauzey,  March  19,  1782. 

"Fof?f7,  That  the  selectmen  shall  lay  out  a  road  from  Richard- 
son's mills  to  the  great  road  that  leads  from  Winchester  to  Swanzey 
in  such  place  as  they  shall  judge  most  convenient." 

It  is  not  known  who  built  these  mills,  but  from  the  fact  that  they 
were  called  Richardson's  mills,  and  from  the  following  conveyances, 
it  is  inferred  they  were  built  by  John  Richardson,  Daniel  Franklin 


238  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY, 

and  Abijali  Bro^^•^.  The  descendants  of  Mr.  Williams  have  no 
knowledge  that  he  had  anything  to  do  in  building  the  mills  which 
makes  it  probable  that  he  disposed  of  his  right  in  the  pitch  before 
they  were  built.  Capt,  Samuel  Brown,  who  made  the  pitch  in  con- 
nection with  Mr.  Williams,  was  the  father  of  Abijah  Brown,  and 
lived  in  Paxton,  Mass. 

Abijah  Brown  sold  one-half  of  a  saw-mill  and  grist-mill  Jan.  24, 
1795,  to  Nicholas  Trask  and  Daniel  Franklin  of  Winchester;  and 
John  Richardson  of  Northlield  sold  one-half  of  a  saw-mill  and  grist- 
mill to  Moses  Cadwell,  June  16,  1795.  Mr.  Cadwell  sold  his  half 
Dec.  5,  1796,  to  Mr.  Trask. 

Ephraim  Taft  of  Winchester  bought  the  mills  of  Mr.  Trask  Oct. 
17,  1806,  and  sold  them  to  David  Wilson  Dec.  22,  1815.  Mr.  Wil- 
son sold  to  Jonathan  Roberts  and  Ezra  Emerson  Oct.  18,  1817. 
Robert  Emerson,  a  brother  of  Ezra,  was  connected  with  him  in  run- 
ning the  mills  some  six  years. 

Levi  Willard  was  the  financial  backer  of  Roberts  and  Emerson  and 
ultimately  became  the  owner  of  the  property  which  he  sold  to  Clark 
Wilson  May  20,  1826.  A  wool- carding  .mill  was  included  with  the 
saw-  and  grist-mill  in  the  sale  to  Wilson.  Wilson  sold  to  John  Cham- 
berlain and  Joshua  Graves,  jr.,  March  16,  1830.  Chamberlain  bought 
Graves'  interest  in  the  mills  Apr.  24,  1830.  The  mills  at  this  time 
consisted  of  a  saw-mill,  a  grist-mill,  a  carding-mill  and  a  shingle-mill. 
These  mills  were  burnt  Oct.  10,  1846,  and  owned  by  Chamberlain  at 
the  time. 

In  1822,  a  Mr.  Twitchell  had  a  wheelwright  shop  south  of  the  saw- 
and  grist-mill.  In  1827,  Clark  Wilson  sold  to  Levi  Willard  the  right 
to  take  water  from  his  flume  for  operating  a  fulling-mill.  Tlie  full- 
ing-mill building  was  the  same  that  had  been  the  wheelwright  shop. 
For  a  number  of  years  Benjamin  II.  Carlton  carried  on  cloth  dress- 
ing in  this  mill.  This  was  followed  by  the  making  of  bobbins.  The 
business  was  managed  by  Alva  Keyes  from  1836  to  1839.  It  was 
in  this  mill  that  Joseph  Cummings,  Mr.  Eveleth  and  Franklin  IIol- 
man  commenced  to  make  pails.  After  some  two  years  Ilolman  ob- 
tained the  interest  of  Cummings  and  Eveleth  in  the  business  which 
he  continued  until  the  mill  was  burned  in  October,  1846. 

Baxter  ^lurdock  built  what  was  known  as  the  belt  saw-mill,  the 
power  for  propelling  which  was  obtained  by  running  a  belt  to  one  of 
the  other  mills.  John  Chamberlain  became  the  owner  of  this  mill  a 
few  yeai's  before  it  was  burned  in  1846.  Mr.  Ilolman  manufactured 
his  pail  stock  in  this  mill. 


SWANZEY    INDUSTRIES.  239 

Sylvauus  Bartlett  built  a  mill  about  1842  south  of  the  other  mills. 
He  immediately  commenced  to  make  shoe  pegs  in  company  with  Abi- 
jah  Woodward.  One  year  before  the  mill  was  burned  Bartlett  made 
brush-woods  in  company  with  Alanson  Si  Whitcomb. 

Oct.  10,  1846,  all  the  mills  in  the  village  were  burned. 

The  work  of  rebuilding  was  soon  commenced  and  Chamberlain, 
Holman  and  Bartlett  each  built  a  mill.  The  one  now  standing  is  that 
which  Chamberlain  built.  The  others  were  burned  Oct.  10,  1856, 
just  ten  years  from  the  time  of  the  previous  fire. 

During  these  ten  years  Holman  manufactured  pails  and  buckets, 
and  Bartlett  made  pails,  buckets  and  shoe  pegs. 

John  Chamberlain  sold  his  mill  in  1856  to  Sylvamis  Bartlett  and 
Jerome  C.  Fields.  During  the  twenty-six  years  he  had  owned  and 
operated  it  his  principal  business  had  been  manufacturing  lumber  and 
grinding  grain. 

He  had  as  associates  in  his  business  at  different  times  Wetherbee 
Chamberlain,  Alvah  Holman,  IMoses  Thayer,  Jonas  Temple,  Alfred 
Spalding  and  Alanson  Read. 

A  firm  composed  of  Samuel  E.  Hartwell,  Harvey  Cooper  and  El- 
liot Hammond  manufactured  sash  and  doors  in  Chamberlain's  old 
mill  for  a  number  of  years  before  it  was  burned.  Judson  A.  Read, 
Simeon  Nelson  and  Alanson  Read  occupied  a  part  of  Chamberlain's 
new  mill  some  years,  including  1854,  for  making  the  same  kind  of 
goods. 

Soon  after  Bartlett  and  Field  bought  the  mill,  machinery  for  mak- 
ing pails  was  put  into  it  and  Bartlett  had  the  management  of  the  pail 
business. 

The  owners  of  the  mill  who  succeeded  Bartlett  and  Field  were 
Henry  Holbrook,  Stephen  Faulkner,  Marshall  Rixford,  Charles  Fos- 
ter, P.  Atwood  Ware,  Ira  W.  Russell  and  Stephen  Fay.  They  sold 
to  James  Marsh  Dec.  5,  1865,  and  Marsh  conveyed  one-half  the 
property  to  E.  F.  Read  a  few  days  after. 

Marsh  and  Read  manufactured  pails  and  lumber  till  March  4,  1878, 
when  Read  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner 

Since  Marsh  became  the  sole  owner  of  the  establishment  he  has  an- 
nually made  a  large  quantity  of  pails,  emplojnng  now  about  fifty 
hands  and  using  yearly  some  1400  cords  of  sapling  pines. 

In  the  mill  now  owned  by  Marsh,  William  P.  Coburn  commenced 
to  make  boxes  in  1863,  continuing  in  business  only  a  few  years,  when 
he  sold  to  Henry  Holbrook  and  George  H.  Jackson.  Holbrook  sold  to 
J.  Mason  Reed  in  1868,  having  previously  bought  Jackson's  interest 
in  the  same.     Reed  removed  the  business  to  Keene  in  1881. 


240  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Jerome  C.  Field  built  his  steam-mill  in  1881.  It  has  been  used 
for  manufacturing  pails,  buckets  and  lumber.  It  has  a  capacity' suf- 
ficient to  work  up  1000  cords  of  timber  annually  and  give  employ- 
ment to  twenty-five  men. 

STORES. 

The  first  person  known  to  have  sold  goods  in  Westport  was  Cal- 
vin Field  in  1820.  They  were  sold  at  his  house  Avhich  stood  where 
Willard  Field  now  resides.  Mr.  Field  built  a  store  where  Sylvanus 
Bartlett  now  lives  which  was  occupied  several  years  previous  to  1830 
by  Reuben  Porter  and  Samuel  Bclding,  jr.  ;  from  1831  to  1834  by 
Caleb  SaAvyer,  and  from  1836  to  1842  by  Mr.  Bartlett. 

Elisha  Osgood  opened  a  store  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  village  as  early  as  1826.  He  died  in  1827,  and  his 
widow  and  Ezekiel  his  oldest  son  continued  in  trade  one  or  two  years. 
Mr,  Bartlett  bought  this  store  in  1842  and  carried  on  business  there 
the  next  fifteen  years.  Jotham  W.  Frink  was  a  partner  in  1844  and 
'45.  Benjamin  L.  Drai)er  carried  on  business  a  few  years  after  Mr. 
Bartlett,  and  then  John  Chamberlain  some  six  years  previous  to  1867. 

Mr.  Bartlett  fitted  up  a  new  store  on  the  hill  on  the  east  side  of  the 
road,  where  he  sold  goods  from  1857  to  1865.  He  was  followed  by 
Henry  Abbott  Avho  remained  till  1867,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
James  Marsh  and  K.  F.  Read.  They  in  turn  after  a  few  years  gave 
place  to  Marsh  and  George  W.  Brooks.  In  1879  Mr.  Marsh  built  a 
new  store  which  he  has  since  occupied,  a  part  of  the  time  wdth  Mr. 
Brooks,  and  later  Avith  one  of  his  sons. 

J.  C.  Field  fitted  up  a  store  in  the  north  part  of  the  village  in  1878, 
in  w^hich  he  did  business  several  years. 

Barnabas  C.  Peters  established  the  tailoring  business  in  the  village 
about  1823,  and  continued  it  many  years.  He  was  succeeded  in  the 
same  business  by  H.  B.  Murdock.  From  1814  to  1847,8.  Bartlett 
was  likcAAase  engaged  in  tailoring. 

HOTELS. 

B.C.  Peters  kept  a  popular  hotel  many  years.  It  was  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  village  on  the  south  side  of  the  road.  He  was  followed 
by  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  3d,  and  Mr.  Whitcomb  by  Elijah  and  Seth 
Willard. 

Previous  to  1826  Otis  Cross  kept  a  public  house  Avhere  Bartlett's 
lower  store  afterwards  stood.  The  successors  of  Mr.  Cross  Avere  Eli- 
sha Osgood  in  1826  ;  widow  E,  Osgood,  1827  ;  Reuben  Porter,  1828  ; 
Paul  S.  Wright,  1829  ;  Wright  and  Horatio  Black  in  1830.  Calvin 
Greenleaf  kept  the  house  at  one  time,  and  after  him  Norris  Wheeler. 


SWANZEY   INDUSTRIES.  241 


BLACKSMITHS. 

Aaron  Lombard  was  a  blacksmith  here  from  1822  to  1841;  Alva 
Keyes  from  1843  to  1851  ;  Charles  Kezer  from  1854  to  1861.  Since 
then  there  have  been  Luman  Seaver,  Orreu  Fowler,  Albert  French  and 
others. 

STONE  QUARRYING. 

Considerable  business  has  been  done  in  quarrying  stone  on  Frank- 
lin mountain  during  the  last  thirty  years  by  different  parties.  Je- 
rome C.  Field  has  been  engaged  much  of  the  time  in  this  business . 

SPRAGUEVILLE. 

Abijah  Whitcorab  sold  to  Philemon  Whitcorab,  Jan.  11,  1806,  one- 
half  the  water  privilege  near  Ezekiel  Page's,  for  building  a  saw-mill 
which  was  probably  soon  erected.  About  1824  Jonathan  Locke  bought 
the  premises  anc^  moved  on  to  them  his  buildings  and  cloth  dressing 
machines  from  Swanzey  Factory.  Soon  after  this  removal,  by  a  break 
in  the  dam,  the  works  were  nearly  demolished,  except  the  old  saw- 
mill which  stood  on  the  south  bank  of  the  stream.  Dr.  Ephraim  K. 
Frost  was  involved  with  Mr.  Locke  in  the  loss  and  became  the  owner 
of  what  was  left  after  the  disaster.  The  saw-mill  was  run  some  years 
and  then  went  to  decay. 

Aaron  Wilson,  backed  by  Gen.  James  Wilson  of  Keene,  made  the 
dam  safe  and  substantial,  and  in  1846,  obtained  an  act  of  incorpora- 
tion to  facilitate  the  formation  of  a  company  to  engage  extensively 
in  manufacturing.     This  effort  was  not  successful. 

About  1853,  David  R.  Marshall  leased  water  power,  built  a  small 
mill  where  the  old  saw-mill  stood,  and  for  twelve  years  manufactured 
successfully  pail,  tub  and  bucket  sto^ik. 

After  this  the  privilege  remained  unused  till  1877,  when  it  was  pur- 
chased of  the  Wilson  family  by  Obadiah  Sprague,  who  immediately 
repaired  the  dam,  built  flumes  and,  in  1879,  erected  two  large  mills, 
two  and  three  stories  in  height  above  the  basements,  one  for  the  manu- 
facture of  woollen  goods  and  the  other  wooden  ware.  After  success- 
fully operating  them  about  eighteen  months,  employing  some  ninety 
hands,  Mr.  Sprague  leased  the  woollen  mill  to  Logan  and  Lindsey  of 
Worcester,  Mass.  Listead  of  making  beavers  as  Sprague  had  done, 
they  manufactured  satinets,  producing  about  1,500  yards  per  day. 

After  running  It  about  nine  months,  the  mills  were  both  burned 
Jan.  10,  1882.  The  wooden-ware  mill  was  at  once  rebuilt  50  x  80 
16 


242  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

feet,  three  stories  and  basement.  It  has  since  been  occupied  by  the  Ches- 
hire Box  Co.  (O.  Si)rague,  Charles  L.  Howes  and  James  L.  Wrigiit), 
manufacturing  boxes  of  all  kinds,  extension  tables,  etc.,  employing 
about  25  men,  and  using  700  cords  of  pine  and  200  of  hard  wood  an- 
nually. 

In  connection  with  the  mills,  Mr.  Sprague  erected  three  dwelling 
houses  and  a  large  boarding  house. 

SWANZEY  CENTRE. 

About  1836,  Virgil  Woodcock  was  taking  contracts  to  build  meet- 
ing houses  and  other  large  stiuctures  in  this  and  neighboring  towns. 
To  prepare  a  portion  of  the  building  material,  he  erected  a  large  steam 
shop  south  of  J.  A.  Rand's  present  residence.  His  enterprise  was 
not  successful,  and  the  large  business  which  he  followed  for  some 
years  was  discontinued,  his  shop  being  converted  into  the  dwelling 
houses  now  owned  by  Mrs.  E.  Howes  and  Mrs.  H.  Chamberlain. 

Mr.  Woodcock  went  to  California  soon  after  gold  was  discovered, 
remained  there  a  few  years,  returned  with  considerat)le  capital,  and, 
in  company  with  Phinehas  Stone,  Sylvander  Stone  and  Giles  Taft 
erected  a  large  steam-mill  where  that  of  M.  C.  Stone's  now  stands. 
Before  much  progress  had  been  made  in  building,  Messrs.  S.  Stone 
and  Taft  sold  their  interest  in  the  concern  to  the  other  partners.  A 
considerable  amount  had  been  contributed  by  people  in  the  vicinity 
to  encourage  the  undertaking.  A  saw-mill,  grist-mill,  pail  works  and 
nmchinery  for  manufacturing  chair  stock  were  put  in  the  building, 
and  for  several  years  it  was  one  of  the  busiest  places  in  Swanzey.  The 
different  branches  of  business  were  carried  on  by  Woodcock  and  Stone 
except  the  making  of  pails  which  was  done  by  Luther  S.  Lane  and 
J.  L.  Parker.  The  capital  of  the  firm  being  insutflcient  to  run  the 
business  they  liad  the  assistance,  during  some  of  the  last  years  tiiat 
the  mill  was  in  operation,  of  Paul  F.  Aldrich  and  David  Parsons,  who 
were  its  principal  managers.  The  enterprise  did  not  prove  to  be  a 
financial  success.  The  mill  was  sold  about  1864  to  Osborne  and  Hale, 
of  Keene,  taken  down,  carried  to  South  Keeneand  set  up  there,  about 
ten  years  from  the  time  it  was  built. 

On  the  same  spot,  by  the  side  of  the  old  historic  moat,  Marcus  C. 
Stone,  in  1888,  erected  a  smaller  saw-  and  stave-mill,  in  which  he  is 
doing  a  good  business. 

GUAVES'  PLACE. 

It  is  supposed  that  Elijah  Graves  commenced  to  dig  the  canal  at 
the  Graves'  place,  on  the  South  Branch,  as  early  as  liSOl.     He  sold, 


SWANZEY   INDUSTRIES.  243 

Sept.  10,  1802,  one-half  the  land  and  waterpower  to  Philemon  "Whit- 
comb  for  a  saw-mill  whicli  was  doubtless  soon  built.  After  several 
transfers  of  the  Whitcomb  part,  Mr.  Graves  ultimately  became  the 
owuer  of  tlie  whole  wliich  he  sold  to  his  son  Ezekiel. 

Ira  Taft,  wlio  married  a  sister  of  Ezekiel  Graves,  built  an  addition 
on  the  west  end  of  the  saw-mill  for  a  shingle-mill.  Abel  W.  Read 
became  the  owner  of  this  shingle-mill  after  Taft.  He  made  shingles 
and  other  kinds  of  wooden  ware. 

George  F.  Lane  bought  the  saw-mill  Dec.  5,  1842,  and  at  a  later 
date  became  the  owner  of  the  shingle-mill  building.  He  commenced 
to  make  buckets  in  1856,  and  was  burnt  out  in  1861.  He  immediate- 
l_y  rebuilt  a  much  larger  and  more  convenient  mill.  Tiiis  mill  was 
burned  March  3,  1873.  Mr.  Lane  then  built  the  substantial  mill  now 
standing,  and  the  stone  flume  at  the  mill. 

P^lisha  F.  Lane  became  the  owner  of  this  mill,  June  10,  1878.  He 
made  substantial  improvements ;  built  the  stone  dam  at  the  head  of 
the  canal  and  enlarged  the  canal  by  raising  the  embankment.  Mr. 
Lane  sold  the  mill  to  George  E.  and  Andrew  J.  Fuller,  near  the  last 
of  1890.  During  the  time  he  owned  the  mill,  his  son  Hubert  E.  was 
connected  with  him,  manufacturing  buckets  and  had  the  principal 
management  of  the  business. 

The  Fuller  brothers  manufacture  buckets,  use  500  cords  timber  and 
employ  ten  men. 

A  public  house  was  kept  by  the  Graves's  in  the  house  near  the  mill. 

WILCOX  SHOP. 

The  Wilcox  shop,  the  next  down  the  stream,  was  built  in  1859  by 
Elisha  F.  Lane,  Stilman  A.  Bigelow  and  John  A.  Batchelder.  Before 
the  close  of  the  year,  Lane  sold  his  interest  to  Bigelow  and  Batchel- 
der, and  in  1860,  Bigelow  bought  out  Batchelder.  These  firms  manu- 
factured chair  stock. 

Edward  Wilcox  bought  the  shop  in  1861.  From  this  time  to  1874 
he  manufactured  clothes  pins,  bucket  hoops  and  chair  stock.  Since 
1874  he  has  made  packing  boxes,  bucket  hoops,  chair  stock  and  pail 
stock.  He  recently  put  in  a  saw-mill  and  manufactures  lumber  to 
some  extent.  His  son,  Allen  C.  Wilcox,  has  been  associated  with  bis 
father  for  some  years  past  in  the  business.  They  employ  some  six 
hands  and  require  about  300  cords  of  timber  annually  for  their  busi' 
ness. 

LANE    MILL. 

The  third  mill  down  the  South  Branch  in  Swanze}',  about  a  mile 
from  East  Svvanzey,  was  built  in  1858  by  Elkanaii  and  Frederick  A. 


244  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Lane.  It  was  a  •ncll  constructed  two-story  huilcling,  in  which  was 
placed  a  grist-mill  and  machinery  for  making  pail  stock  and  pails, 
which  were  used  till  18G4.  At  this  date,  the  Lanes  with  D.  H.  Dick- 
inson and  J.  Herbert  Smith  formed  a  copartnership  for  manufactiir- 
ing  horse  blankets.  They  continued  in  this  business  till  1870,  when 
the  mill  was  burned.  A  portion  of  this  time,  Messrs.  Blanding  and 
Hill  were  partners  in  the  business. 

A  company  of  which  Luther  8.  Lane,  E.  and  F.  A.  Lane  and  Eph- 
raim  Kendall  were  partners,  made  wool  mattresses  at  this  place  a 
number  of  years  after  the  fire  ;  machinery  for  preparing  the  material 
being  used  in  a  building  that  escaped  the  fire.  The  company  trans- 
ferred this  business  to  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

INDUSTRIES    UPON    BRIDGE  BROOK. 

Some  years  before  the  Revolutionary  War,  Timothy  Bishop  was 
located  upon  the  old  Swanzey  and  Boston  road,  a  little  west  of  the 
line  that  now  divides  Swanzey  and  Troy.  Here  he  had  a  farm,  made 
potash  and  probably  sold  goods.  On  the  Bridge  Brook,  about  a  mile 
above  the  East  Swanzey  and  Richmojid  road,  he  had  a  foundry  in 
which  were  cast  necessary  household  utensils.  A  large  hewed  stick 
of  timber  across  the  bed  of  the  brook  marks  the  place  where  the  foun- 
dry stood. 

Just  above  the  East  Swanzey  and  Richmond  road,  Josiali  Wilson 
built  a  shop  about  1840,  for  making  window  sash. 

Nathan  Whitcomb  at  one  time  and  Jesse  Thompson  at  another 
were  subsequent  owners  of  this  property. 

Above  where  Mr.  Wilson  built  his  shop,  Samuel  S.  Farris  built  a 
mill  about  1866  for  manufacturing  wooden  ware  stock.  IMr.  Farris  died 
in  1878,  and  tiie  mill  was  subsequently'  bought  by  Elkanah  Lane.  Mr. 
Lane  used  it  only  a  few  years,  since  which  nothing  lias  been  done  in  it. 

C.  G.  and  R.  R.  Ramsdell  built  a  mill  in  185G,  below  the  road,  for 
manufacturing  wooden  ware.  They  followed  the  business  here  about 
fifteen  years.     The  mill  has  gone  to  decay. 

Zadock  L.  Taft  and  his  son  Farris,  built  a  mill  on  the  East  Rich- 
mond Brook  near  the  house  of  Frank  E.  Ballon.  They  owned  it  in 
1843,  and  used  it  a  number  of  years  for  doing  various  mechanical 
work.  Mr,  Farris  Taft  died  in  1854,  after  which  the  mill  was  bought 
by  Jeremiah  Hale,  and  it  subsequently  went  to  decay. 

OTHER    MILLS    IN    SWANZEY. 

At  the  foot  of  Swanzey  pond,  about  1780,  a  dam  was  ])uilt,  a  mill 
erected  and  sickles  mamifactured  hy  Wynian  Richardson.     The  mill 


W  ^f^ 


^cC/T^^^L^^y'-'^i^C^ 


SWANZEY   INDUSTRIES.  245 

was  afterwards  purchased  by  Stephen  and  John  Potter  and  used  as  a 
cloth  dressing  or  fulling  mill.  After  this,  about  1812,  the  Potters  and 
Manning  Hunt  built  a  saw-mill  on  the  same  location,  which  soon  after 
came  into  the  possession  of  Ebenezer  Hill.  It  was  operated  by  him 
till  about  1825,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Ricliard  Crossett  and 
George  Darling;  Elbridge  Goodell  being  associated  with  them  a  part 
of  the  time  while  they  owned  it.  From  1832  till  1865,  Daniel  H.  Hol- 
brook  was  the  successful  proprietor.  He  rebuilt  the  mill  and  built 
the  stone  dam,  and  annually  cut  out  large  quantities  of  boards  and 
lumber.  In  1865,Holbrook  sold  to  Varus  Stearns,  who  retained  pos- 
session about  two  years,  when  it  was  purchased  by  B.  F.  Lombard, 
and  operated  by  him  (and  his  son  F".  F.  Lombard  a  part  of  the  time) 
till  1890,  when  John  F.  Ballon  became  the  owner. 

A  few  rods  below  this  mill,  on  Pond  Brook,  about  the  year  1816, 
another  saw-mill  was  built  by  John  Hills  and  managed  b}'  him  some  ten 
3'ears,  when  he  took  it  down  and  rebuilt  it  on  the  west  stream  flowing 
from  Richmond,  about  a  half  mile  below  the  Perry  mill.  It  was  subse- 
quently purchased,  with  territory  adjacent  bj'  D.  H.  Holbrook,  and 
soon  after  went  to  decay. 

The  Perry  saw-mill,  so  called,  in  the  extreme  south  part  of  the  town 
was  built  by  John  Perry  about  the  year  1806,  and  was  managed  and 
operated  by  the  Perry  family  until  it  was  burned  a  few  years  since. 

On  Hyponeco  brook  near  where  William  Ballou  now  lives,  a  saw- 
mill was  built  about  1828  by  Nathaniel  Thompson.  It  was  used  only 
a  few  years  ;  the  ruins  of  the  old  dam  now  only  mark  the  place  where 
it  stood. 

On  the  same  stream,  near  No.  8  schoolhouse,  in  1853,  Roswell  Whit- 
comb  built  a  saw-  and  a  stave-mill  propelled  by  an  overshot  wheel.  It 
was  operated  very  successfully  till  1875,  when  it  was  sold  to  Simeon 
Holbrook  and  taken  down  a  few  years  after. 

Wyman  Richardson  had  a  mill  on  Pond  Brook  above  the  bridge 
near  Lorenzo  N.  Hewes' house  in  1800. 

Ichabod  Woodward  had,  in  1808,  a  mill  in  the  southeast  part  of  the 
town,  that  part  now  belonging  to  Troy. 

Erastus  Dickinson  built  a  saw-mill  on  "New  Rum"  Brook  about 
1826.  It  was  owned  in  after  years  by  Nathaniel  and  Asa  Dickinson, 
2d. 

In  1862  Edmund  Stone  built  the  saw  and  stave-mill  that  stands 
near  his  house.  It  can  be  used  only  a  small  part  of  the  year  on  ac- 
count of  the  insufficiency  of  water.  Lyman  M.  Stone  has  operated  the 
mill  for  a  number  of  years  past. 


240  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Daniel  Veny  had  a  saw-mill  on  Rixford  brook,  near  his  house.  He 
was  taxed  for  it  from  1826  to  1859. 

Near  the  close  of  the  last  century  a  mill,  probably  owned  and  op- 
erated by  Abel  Wilson,  stood  on  California  brook  just  south  of  the 
liouse  of  Joiin  Fitzgerald.  The  liighwa^^  then  ran  east  of  where  the 
barn  now  stands. 

About  1830  David  and  Luke  Bennett  erected  a  saw-mill  ou  a  small 
brook  about  half  a  mile  west  of  their  buildings,  and  which  was  re- 
moved in  1840  and  sold  to  Benj.  Whiteomb. 


STOKES,    HOTELS,    ETC.,    NOT    BEFORE    NAMED. 

But  little  is  known  where  goods  were  sold  in  Swaiizey  or  who  sold 
them  previous  to  1800.  The  old  meeting  house  was  built  between 
1753  and  1755,  and  William  Grimes  furnished  the  rum  for  the  raising, 
from  which  it  is  inferred  that  he  mi<>lit  have  sold  other  iroods  at  this 
earl}'^  period.  Jonathan  Whiteomb  was  a  merchant  about  Revolution- 
ary times. 

Francis  Goodhue,  2d,  bought  in  1799,  of  William  Wright,  Wyat 
Gunn  and  Israel  H.  Gunn,  the  i)lace  where  Mrs.  Watson  now  resides, 
and  commenced  trading  there.  Some  of  these  men  may  have  been  in 
trade  there  before  Goodhue  bought.  Mr.  Goodhue  advertised  in  the 
N.  H.  Sentinel,  English  and  West  India  goods.  West  India  rum  at 
5s.  11  pence  per  gal.,  sugar,  7  pounds  for  6s;  Bohea  tea  at  3  s.  i)er 
pound,  and  other  articles  in  proportion.  Would  pay  Is.  6d.  for  good 
ashes.     In  1803  Mr.  Goodhue  was  taxed  for  $1500  in  trade. 

In  1804  he  sold  to  Benjamin  Barrett  of  Brattleborough,  Vt.  Cal- 
vin Farrar  was  in  company  with  Goodhue  for  some  time.  Barrett 
traded  some  seven  years,  haviug  as  i)artner  a  portion  of  the  time  Jo- 
seph Emerson,  who  died  in  1810.  Jonas  Blodgett  traded  at  this  place 
some  tiiree  years  after  Emerson. 

From  1814  to  1822  Abraham  Stearns,  2nd,  traded  where  A.  H.  Free- 
man now  resides.  Bela  Chase  and  Benjamin  Page  succeeded  Slearns. 
They  traded  some  three  years.  Caleb  Sawyer  was  in  trade  in  tliis 
place  in  1829. 

Benjamin  Page  and  Bela  Chase  bought  the  land  where  Buttrick's 
hotel  now  stands  in  jNIarcli,  1825,  and  on  it  erected  a  store.  The 
following  persons  have  since  been  in  trade  here:  B.  Page  and  Joel 
Whiteomb  in  1.S27  ;  Reuben  Porter  and  Silas  Hills,  1829  ;  Charles  C. 
Pratt,  1831  ;  Samuel  Belding,  3d,  1832  ;  Henry  R.  Morse,  Hunt  Broth- 
ers, Clark  Gray,  1840  ;  B.  Page,  1843  ;  Nathan  Watkins,  1848  ;  James 


SWANZEY    INDUSTRIES.  247 

M.  Robb,  Elijah  Sawyer,  Darwin  D.  Baxter,  1859  ;  Amos  Richardson, 
1863  ;  Henry  H.  Aldrich  and  Oliver  C.  AVhitcomb,  1870. 

The  store  now  owned  by  Mrs.  H.  Chamberlain  was  bought  by  her 
husband  John  Chamberlain  in  1867.  He  traded  here  till  his  death  in 
1870,  since  which  time  Mrs.  C.  and  her  sons  have  continued  the  busi- 
ness. Elijah  Bullard  at  one  time,  and  Edward  Ferry  at  another,  sold 
goods  here. 

Elisha  Osgood  built  the  house  now  owned  by  Lyman  N.  Howes, 
and  previous  to  1825,  occupied  a  part  of  it  for  a  store.  In  1825  and 
1826,  Otis  and  Alva  Whitcomb  traded  at  this  place. 

When  the  travel  to  the  lower  towns  from  Keene  and  places  north 
passed  over  the  "Boston"  road,  there  was  much  business  for  hotels 
in  the  central  part  of  Swanzey.  Jonathan  Hammond  kept  a  public 
liouse  at  the  place  now  owned  by  Sylvander  Stone  ;  Elijah  Belding  at 
the  Zina  Taft  place,  and  Dan  Guild  in  the  old  red  house  on  the  Car- 
ter Whitcomb  place.  These  houses  were  all  kept  at  an  early  period 
of  the  town's  history.  From  1800  to  1812,  there  was  a  public  house 
where  Mrs.  Watson  resides.  It  was  first  kept  by  Francis  Goodhue, 
next  by  Benjamin  Barrett,  and  afterwards  by  Jonas  Blodgett. 

Henry  Morse,  2d,  for  many  years  previous  to  1825,  kept  a  hotel 
where  Levi  Crouch  now  lives.  A  public  house  was  kept  for  a  long 
time  at  William  C.  Belding's  place,  the  occupants  from  1793  being 
Jacob  Bump,  N  .ah  Arnold  and  David  Holbrook. 

Between  1830  and  1840,  John  L.  Aldrich  at  one  time,  and  Col. 
Phineas  Stone  at  another,  were  keeping  tavern  at  Mrs.  P.  Stone's 
place.  William  Hewes  owned  Asa  Healey's  several  years  and  kept 
there  a  public  house. 

Buttrick's  hotel  has  been  opened  to  the  public  most  of  the  time 
since  1861.  Those  that  have  been  in  possession  of  it  have  been  Amos 
Richardson,  George  Howe,  L.  C.  Whitney  and  W.  H.  Buttrick. 

Brick-making  to  a  considerable  extent  was  carried  on  at  different 
times  for  a  long  period  by  Solomon  IMatthews,  J.  H.  Matthews  and 
other  former  owners  of  the  Timothy  Fitzgerald  place. 

Jonathan  Babbitt  had  a  brick  yard  on  the  east  side  of  the  road  near 
Frank  E.  Ballou's  residence.  The  brick  for  the  house  of  Aaron  Hol- 
brook and  brothers  (C.  H.  Holbrook's)  was  made  a  few  rods  west  of 
Willardl.  Ballou's. 

Between  the  years  1830  and  1860,  a  large  amount  of  the  red  oak 
timber  in  Swanzey  was  worked  into  shook.  It  was  split  into  staves, 
shaved,  bent,  packed  into  bunches  large  enough  to  make  a  hogshead, 
and  sent  mostly  to  New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  thence  to  the  West 
Indies. 


248  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

For  a  long  time  Levi  Blake's  tannery  was  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant industries  in  town.  Previous  to  1800  Fisher  Draper  had  been 
doing  a  small  business  at  tanning:,  where  Mr.  Blake  at  this  date  com- 
menced  and  continued  nearly  forty  years.  He  carried  on  tanning  and 
currying,  did  custom  work,  bought  hides  and  sold  leather.  Benjamin 
C.  Blake,  the  youngest  son  of  Levi  Blake,  died  in  1843.  A  few  years 
before  his  death  the  business  of  the  establishment  had  passed  into  his 
hands.  Following  him,  William  C.  Belding  carried  on  the  business 
some  three  years.  Heniy  Abbott  was  the  last  person  doing  business 
at  the  Blake  tannery.  Henry  Hill  is  the  present  owner  of  the  site. 
There  were  two  tanneries  in  early  times  in  the  southeast  part  of  the 
town.  Benjamin  Parsons  had  one  on  the  place  now  owned  by  An- 
thony S.  Whitconib,  located  several  rods  west  of  where  his  buildings 
stand.  Aquilla  Ramsdell  had  the  other  on  the  place  now  occupied  by 
the  llamsdell  family.  It  was  east  of  the  buildings  down  near  the 
meadow. 

The  making  of  palmleaf  hats  was  an  important  industry  in  town 
from  1830  to  1870.  By  this  occupation  the  women  and  children  in 
many  a  family  procured  not  only  theii;  groceries  but  also  materials 
for  clotiiing  and  many  other  articles  for  family  use.  At  first  the  coun- 
try merchants  furnished  the  rough  leaf  to  the  braiders,  who  split  it 
into  strands,  bleached,  braided,  pressed,  completed  the  hat,  and  re- 
turned it  to  the  merchants  in  exchange  for  their  goods. 

Later,  the  leaf  was  prepared  ready  for  braiding  before  being  dis- 
tributed to  the  braiders,  and  the  hats  were  sold  before  being  pressed  ; 
the  pressing  and  preparing  the  leaf  being  done  in  factories  by  ma- 
chinery. Still  later,  hat  peddlers  to  a  large  extent  monopolized  the 
trade,  sold  the  leaf  to  their  customers  and  bought  the  hats,  paying  ia 
goods  or  cash. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Ifiscellaneoiis. 
Fatai-  accidents —  Murders  —  Small-pox  —  Swanzey    Ckmeteiues— Eev- 

OLUTIOXARY  PENSIOKKRS  IN  18J:0— EPIDEMIC  IN  WkSTPOKT  — PROFESSIONAL 

Men— Mail  Caurying  and  Postmasteus — Town  Debt  —  Town  Pau- 
TKRS  —  Marking  Sheep  — A  Rolling  Stonk  —Rain  and  Snow  Storms  — 
Cold  Year  —  Grasshopper  Year  —  Temperance  —  Boating  on  the 
AsHUELOT  River  —  Justices  of  the  Peace  —  Supervisors  of  the 
checklist  —  Grkat  Snow  Storm  —Secret  Societies  —  Bear  and  Wolf 
Stories. 

FATAL  accidents. 

THE  folloxving  instances  have  been  reported  to  tlie  compiler: 
While  Samuel  Hills  was  returning  from  a  visit  to  friends  in 
Keene,  coming  down  the  Ashuelot  river  in  a  boat,  he  had  a  child 
drowned. 

Before  there  was  a  bridge  at  East  Swanzev,  Pliiueas  Battles,  a  lad 
living  witli  Samuel  Lane,  undertaking  to  cross,  the  stream  on  a  log, 
in  the  spring  when  the  water  was  higli,  fell  in  and  was  drowned. 

Silas  Cresson,  a  son  of  Thomas  Cresson,  was  scalded  to  death  Dec. 
31,  1759. 

"Caleb  Sawj'er,  while  frolicking  when  returning  from  town  meeting 
March  10,  1772,  fell  from  a  sled  and  was  killed. 

Jan.  17,  1774,  Benjamin  Parsons  fell  down  cellar  and  was  killed. 

Daniel  Gunn,  2d,  was  drowned  Nov.  22,  1786. 

JMoses  Belding,  2nd,  died  from  the  effects  of  swallowing  a  bean,  Feb. 
0,  1788. 

Abel  Wilson  had  a  child  scalded  to  death  in  1791. 

Nathan  Goddard  was  found  dead  in  the  woods  Dec.  30,  1811,  under 
a  tree  which  he  had  felled  while  alone. 

William  Wright  fell  from  a  scaffold  in  the  barn  Jan.  14,  1812,  and 
was  instantly  killed. 

A  child  of  Nathan  Whitcomb,  nearly  two  years  old,  died  from  a 
scald  March  9,  1814. 

Brown  Taft  was  drowned  at  Westport  Jul}'  21,  1815. 

Enoch  Kimball  was  drowned  Jan.  18,  1816. 

Amariah  Peck  removed  from  Swanze}-  to  Vermont,  and  in  digging  a 
17  (249) 


250  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

well,  the  air  in  it  became  insupportable  of  life  during  his  absence,  and 
when  lie  went  into  it  he  died  there ;  also  a  son  of  his  who  descended 
first  into  tiie  well  died  from  the  same  cause. 

Calvin  Bryant  had  a  son  Calvin  born  July  4,  1821,  killed  at  East 
Swanzey  when  about  six  years  old  by  a  rail  falling  off  the  fence  upon 
him. 

Emery,  son  of  Abijah  Whitcomb,  2d,  born  in  1815,  was  drowned  at 
West  Swanzey  when  a  young  lad. 

Feb.  18,  1826,  Ziba  W.  Read,  while  chopping  a  log  on  which  he 
was  standing,  fell  backward  on  to  a  sprout  stub  which  entered  his 
bod}'  and  caused  his  death. 

Cynthia  B.  Sawyer,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Sawyer,  was  scalded  to 
death  when  a  little  over  a  year  old,  July  15,  1827. 

Aaron  Thayer,  while  driving  a  two-horse  team  in  the  night,  got 
under  one  of  the  wagon  wheels  and  was  found  dead  July  2G,  1829. 

Joseph  Bridge  was  killed  by  the  kick  of  a  horse  about  1830. 

Dr.  E.  K.  Frost's  twin  daughter  was  burned  to  death  in  1830,  about 
four  years  of  age. 

While  Amos  Richardson  (the  giant),  was  driving  his  oxen  drawing 
a  cart,  the  right  ox  lifted  him  with  one  of  its  horns  which  entered 
the  rectum,  causing  inflammation  and  death  Nov.  6,  1831. 

A  son  of  the  above  named  Richardson  was  killed  by  having  his 
head  crushed  between  a  cart  wheel  and  the  side  of  the  barn,  when  the 
father  was  backing  the  oxen  and  cart  from  the  barn. 

Seth  Holbrook,  while  riding  horseback,  was  thrown  from  his  horse 
Dec.  11,  1833,  and  received  an  injury  from  which  he  died  a  few  hours 
after. 

Robert  Ware  was  drowned  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  5,  1835. 

Two  young  men  emplo3'ed  in  a  mill  at  East  Swanzey  were  drowned 
while  bathing  about  1835. 

Charles  Moore  was  l)urned  to  death  in  a  cabin  while  lendins:  a  coal 
pit,  Nov.  30,  1843.  Mowry  A.  Thompson,  who  was  with  him  at  the 
time,  barely  escaped  with  his  life. 

David  Read  went  alone  to  Franklin  mountain  for  a  load  of  logs  and 
was  found  dead  under  a  log,  Jan.  31,  1845. 

Willard  Watkins  was  drowned  in  Swanzey  pond,  falling  out  of  a 
boat,  August  10,  1845. 

Artcmas  Richardson  was  wounded  and  bled  to  death  at  Swanzey 
Factory  village,  by  accidentall}'  sticking  a  jack  knife  into  his  thigh. 

Julius  Francis,  a  son  of  Moses  Howard,  was  drowned  in  a  watering 
rough  Oct.  8,  1846,  when  nearly  two  years   old. 


MISCELLANEOUS.  251 

John  Park  Henry  was  run  over  by  an  ox  cart  and  fatall3'  injured, 
dying  August  14,  1847.  The  oxen  ran  away  wiien  he  was  attempting 
to  detach  theui  from  the  cart. 

Dec.  30,  1848,  Asa  Jackson  was  found  dead  in  the  road  east  of 
Westport,  at  a  point  now  intersected  by  the  Asluielot  raih'oad. 

Lewis  Gunn  was  drowned  in  the  Ashuelot  river  June  26,  1849. 

Aaron  Wlieeler,  when  descending  from  a  barn  scaffold,  fell  upon  a 
cart  stake  and  died  from  the  injury  received,  Feb.  27,  1850. 

Elijah  Starkey  was  killed  June  24,  1850,  by  a  tree  falling  upon  him 
in  the  woods  while  peeling  bark. 

Virgil  Verwell,  son  of  Silas  Whitconib,  3d,  was  drowned  in  a  tub 
of  water  when  about  a  year  and  a  half  old,  July  15,  1854. 

David  Woodward  was  struck  and  killed  by. a  railroad  train  in 
1856. 

William  W.  Palmer  and  another  man  sawed  off  a  tree,  that  had 
blown  down,  close  to  the  roots  ;  when  sawed  off  the  stump  fell  for- 
ward upon  Mr.  Palmer  and  killed  him,  Dec.  15,  1860. 

Israel  Applin  was  killed  Nov.  1,  1861,  by  falling  off  the  end  of  a 
building  upon  which  he  was  at  work  laying  shingles. 

Nugent,  a  blind  man,  was  drowned  in  the  Ashuelot  river  near 

Westport  about  1861. 

About  the  same  time  another  man  (supposed,  by  some  to 'have  been 
murdered)  was  found  dead  in  the  river  at  Westport. 

Charles  M.  Hills  was  killed  by  falling  from  a  railroad  car  Feb.  1, 
1862. 

Lorin  A.  Britton,  a  railroad  engineer,  was  killed  in  Tennessee  in 
1862. 

George  L.  Black,  a  son  of  Orrin  Black,  was  drowned  in  Lake  Mich- 
igan, Oct.  20,  1865. 

A  daughter  of  Schuyler  Seaver,  nearly  nine  months  old,  was 
smothered  in  bed  Dec.  21, 1868. 

Mary  Isabel,  a  daughter  of  Solon  W.  Snow,  was  scalded  to  death, 
Jan.  23,  1869,  nearly  two  j'ears  old. 

George  W.  Mason,  a  son  of  Hale  Mason,  was  killed  while  living  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  by  falling  (rom  a  staging  on  v/hich  he  was  at  work. 

George  H.  Wilder,  a  resident  of  West  Swanzey  several  years,  went 
over  the  dam  at  Holyoke,  Mass.,  while  engaged  upon  work  about  the 
dam,  and  was  drowned. 

Mrs.  Joshua  Sawyer  was  killed  by  the  kick  of  a  horse. 

Jotham  Ballon  died  of  a  kick  from  a  horse. 

Benjamin  Cross  was  killed  in  Peterborough  l)y  an  engine  explosion. 

David  A.  Pomeroy  was  killed  in  a  mill  at  Townshend,  Vt. 


252  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

Olive  Prime,  after  her  marriage,  was  burned  to  death  in  Illinois 
by  her  clotiies  taking  fire. 

Lurana,  daughter  of  Elkanah  Lane,  was  burned  to  death  by  her 
C'lotlies  taking  fire,  after  her  marriage  and  residence  in  Massachusetts. 

Eber  Carpenter  died  from  a  kick  by  a  horse  after  he  became  a  cit- 
izen of  Northfiold,  Mass. 

Joshua  Bradle}'  Sawyer,  after  he  became  a  resident  of  Winchendon, 
Mass.,  was  killed  by  a  railroad  train,  Avhen  crossing  a  track  in  a 
carriage. 

Lot  Aldrich  was  drowned  at  AVestport. 

Elbridge  G.  Prentice,  when  walking  upon  a  railroad  track,  was 
killed  by  a  passing  train. 

Leighton  fell  from  the  dam  into  the  water  at  East  Swanzey 

and  was  drowned. 

Rev.  E.  I.  Carpenter,  in  returning  to  his  home  from  Keene,  his 
horse  becoming  unmanageable,  was  thrown  from  his  sleigh  as  he 
was  turning  into  his  yard  and  injured  so  severely  that  he  died  soon 
after,  Feb.  10,  1877. 

Jehiel  White  was  found  dead  in  the  woods,  Feb.  23,  1879,  under  a 
tree  which  he  had  felled. 

Sarah  L.,  daughter  of  John  Rice,  five  years  of  age,  was  burned  so 
severely  by  her  clothes  taking  fire,  that  she  died,  Feb.  1,  1881. 

John  Naylon,  as  he  was  walking  from  Keene  to  Swanzey  on  the 
Aslmelot  railroad.  May  1,  1881,  was  struck  by  the  train  and  instantly 
killed. 

Lock  M.  Rixford,  while  in  the  employ  of  a  railroad  companj',  was 
killed  April  26,  1883. 

G.  Bernard,  a  son  of  Oscar  R.  Farr,  was  scalded  to  death  by  the 
overturning  of  a  coffee  pot,  and  died  Feb.  7,  1887,  nearly  seven  months 
old. 

David  Parsons  fell  upon  the  railroad  track  at  West  Swanzey  and 
received  an  injury  frojn  which  he  died  July  13,  18.S8. 

Fred.  L.  Iredale,  a  lad  nearly  fifteen  years  old,  was  drowned  at 
West  Swanzey,  Aug.  3,  1888. 

Frank  A.  Ballon  died  Feb.  11,  1890,  from  a  fractured  skull  caused 
by  a  liml)  of  a  tree  falling  upon  him  that  had  been  wrenched  from 
another  tree  which  he  had  cut. 

Willard  Trask  inflicted  in  the  right  side  of  Joseph  Austin  a  wound 
from  which  he  died  March  26,  1850.  For  thisolfence  Trask  was  con- 
victed and  sentenced  to  State's  Prison  for  life.  But,  after  several 
years  of  confinement,  his  deportment  in  prison  having  been  good,  he 
was  pardoned  by  the  Governor  and  released. 


MISCELLANEOUS.  253 

Joseph  Perry,  a  single  man,  fift3^-six  years  old,  who  lived  alone  in 
a  house  in  the  south  part  of.the  town,  was  murdered  about  the  first 
day  of  August,  1876.  He  was  shot,  but  was  alive  when  first  found 
by  a  neighbor.  No  knowledge  could  be  obtained  from  him  who  the 
murderer  was.  He  lived  about  a  day  after  he  was  found,  unconscious. 
No  clew  to  the  murderei  has  yet  been  obtained. 

SJIAI.L-POX. 

Jonathan  Webster,  a  soldier,  died  with  the  small-pox  Aug.  31, 
1757. 

Jan.  16,  1761,  Isaac  Clark  died  of  tiiis  disease.  Jan.  25,  I.  Har- 
rington ;  Feb.  5,  Mrs.  Amos  Foster;  March  2,  Mr.  Amos  Foster; 
Aug.  IS,  1776,  Widow  Timothy  Brown,  and  Oct.  24,  Triphena  Fair- 
banks. 

In  the  winter  of  1845  and  '46  Mr.  Pliilo  Applin  went  from  home  to 
work.  He  became  unwell  and  returned.  His  illness  proved  to  have 
been  varioloid  of  a  mild  type.  His  family  consisted  of  a  wife  and 
nine  children,  all  of  whom  had  the  small-pox  except  the  oldest  daugh- 
ter, who,  though  remaining  in  the  family  through  the  sickness,  did 
not  have  the  disease.  Mr.  Ap[)lin  lived  on  the  Leonaid  A.  Newell 
place,  in  a  house  near  the  spring,  west  of  the  road.  In  taking  care 
of  his  family  he  had  the  assistance  of  his  daughter  and  a  man  who 
had  previously'  had  the  disease.  Three  of  the  children  died  and  were 
carried  out  and  buried  by  Mr.  Applin  and  the  man  who  assisted  him 
in  caring  for  his  family.     The  burial  v/as  on  the  hill  east  of  the  road. 

SWANZEY  CEMETEKIES. 

The  Mount  Ccesar  cemetery  at  Swanzey  Centre  doubtless  dates  back 
to  the  first  settlement  of  the  town.^  Appearances  indicate  that  the 
northwest  part  of  the  present  cemetery  was  first  used  for  burying  pur- 
poses. 

As  stated  in  Chapter  III  the  proprietors  set  apart  a  piece  of  land 
for  a  "burying  place,"  and  chose  a  committee  to  see  to  the  cutting 
down  the  trees,  etc.  The  records  make  no  mention  of  any  further 
lay  out  or  any  fencing  of  the  old  cemetery.  There  was  evidently  no 
general  plan  in  the  arrangement  of  the  graves  ;  though  they  are  some- 
what in  ranges,  these  frequently  overlap  or  pass  by  each  other.  The 
heads  of  the  graves,  as  in  most  other  ancient  cemeteries,  are  uni- 
formly towards  the  west.  There  are  no  stones  or  other  monuments 
to  mark  the  earliest  graves.     The  thin  slabs  of  slate  of  various  sizes 


254  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

and  adornments,  many  with  quaint  inscriptions,  are  the  most  ancient, 
unless  it  be  the  rough  granite  stones  with  no  names  attached.  INIany 
of  the  inscriptions  are  hardly  legible.  The  oldest  date  back  to  about 
1760.  No  marble  was  used  till  the  beginning  of  the  present  century. 
The  family  tomb  of  Jonathan  Hammond  is  evidently  quite  ancient, 
erected  probably  about  1820;  that  of  the  Dickinson  family  is  more 
modern,  built  some  twenty  years  later. 

In  1858  it  became  necessary  to  enlarge  this  burying  ground,  and 
about  three  acres  adjoining  on  the  south  side  were  purchased  of  Car- 
ter Whitcomb  and  enclosed  liy  a  stone  wall.  A  committee  consist- 
ing of  Carter  Whitcomb,  Luther  S.  Lane  and  B.  F.  Lombard,  was 
chosen  to  lay  out  this  addition  into  lots,  with  avenues,  etc.,  corre- 
sponding to  the  modern  style.  They  appraised  the  lots  at  prices  rang- 
ing from  less  than  one  dollar  to  three  dollars  and  thirty-three  cents. 
The  lots  were  sold  at  the  appraised  prices  till  1865,  when  the  town 
voted  to  make  them  free,  and  refund  the  money  to  those  that  had  then 
purchased.  In  1859  a  receiving  tomb  was  built;  Alfred  Seaver  doing 
the  work  for  $118.  In  1890  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  again  en- 
large the  cemetery  or  purchase  land  for  a  new  one.  Several  acres 
were  bought  for  this  purpose  from  the  Sylvander  Stone  farm,  about 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  south  from  the  old  ground. 

WEST  SWANZEY  BURYING  GROUND. 

The  old  burying  ground  at  West  Swanzey  was  probably  used  as 
such  about  1798.  No  records  pertaining  to  it  appear  till  1835,  when 
at  the  annual  meeting  the  town  voted  to  sell  the  fencing  of  it.  Like 
that  at  the  Centre,  it  became  nearly  filled  with  graves,  and  in  1858 
Henry  Eames,  Oliver  Capron  and  Isaac  Stratton  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee to  purchase  land  for  a  new  one.  The  following  year  Virgil  A. 
Molbrook  of  district  No.  11,  Oliver  Capron  of  No.  13,  Henry  Eames 
ofNo.  6,  Edwin  Snow  of  No.  12,  Henry  Holbrook  of  No.  7,  and  Daniel 
H.  Holbrook  of  No.  8,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  assist  in  laying 
out  and  fitting  up  the  new  cemetery.  The  expense  for  land  and  fenc- 
ing was  $352. 

In  1860  a  receiving  tomb  was  built  by  Alfred  Seaver  costing 
$125. 

In  1890-*91  Henry  D.  Thompson  gratuitously  built  the  faced  gran- 
ite wall  around  the  old  cemetery. 

The  neat  little  burying  ground  at  Westport  is  owned  and  cared  for 
by  individuals,  and  not  by  the  town.  The  oldest  head  stone  is  at  the 
grave  of  Jonathan  Holbrook  who  died  May  6,  1796. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


255 


REVOLUTIONARY  PENSIOKERS  LIVING  IN  SWANZET,  JUNE  1,   1840. 

{Taken  from  U-  S.  official  documents.) 


NAME. 

AGE. 

RESIDENCE. 

Russell  Ballon, 

76 

Mollie  Cunimings, 

76 

Elisha  Chamberlain, 
Mary  Scott, 

77 
88 

Lived  with  Abel  Dickinson. 

Jotham  Eames, 

84 

Elizabeth  Green, 

70 

Benjamin  Howard, 
Rosilla  Hill, 

80 
83 

Lived  with  David  Hill. 

Asaph  Lane, 
Samuel  Lane, 

81 
81 

Lived  with  Elisha  Lane. 

Phebe  Long, 
Mary  Ockington, 
Jemima  Stone, 

80 
85 
86 

Lived  with  Joseph  Long. 
Lived  with  David  Stone. 

Ivory  Snow, 
Abijah  Whitcomb, 

78 
88 

Lived  with  Joseph  Snow. 

EPIDEMIC  IN   "WESTPORT. 

In  1849  an  epidemic  of  unusual  proportions  prevailed  in  town,  but 
principally  in  the  village  of  Westport.  Between  July  7,  and  Oct.  21, 
fifty-five  persons  in  Swanzey  died  of  dysentery ;  five  in  July,  twenty 
in  August,  twenty-four  in  September,  and  six  in  October.  Of  this 
number  thirty-five  were  within  one  mile  of  the  schoolhouse  in  West- 
port. 

swanzey's  professional  men. 
Physicians. 
Nathaniel  Hammond,  Wm.  C.  Belding  place  ;  died  Oct.  11,  1773. 
Calvin  Frink,  F.  Downing  place  ;  died  1821. 
Israel  Sawyer,  J.  Handy  place;  born  1753,  died  Jan.  18,  1832. 
Ezra  Thayer,  School  District  No.  8. 
Abel  Wilder,  removed  from  town. 
Paul  Raymond,  died  1814. 

Ephraim  K.  Frost,  Mrs.  Watson's  place  ;  came  1819. 
Henry  Baxter,  H.  D.  Thompson  place;  1820-1853. 


256  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Daniel  Linscy,  removed  from  town  1828. 

N.  B.  Barton,  West  Swanzey,  died  1852. 

Samuel  D.  King,  Cong.  Parsonage,  1835-1845. 

John  F.  Jennisou,  Eclectic,  Sylvander  Stone  place,  1844;  died  in 
Keene. 

Willard  Adams,  Cong.  Parsonage,  1845-1871. 

D.  L.  M.  Comings,  AVest  Swanzey,  1853-1863. 

F.  H.  Underwood,  Eclectic,  West  Swanzc}',  1857  ;  died  in  Boston. 

Geo.  I.  Cutler,  AVest  Swanzey,  since  18G5. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  Avho  have  been  the  practising  physi- 
cians in  Swanzey,  are  the  following  who  were  born  or  bred  in  this 
town  and  have  practised  their  profession  elsewhere:  Simeon  Brown, 
Abner  Stanley, Hiram  Bennett,  Joseph  Streeter,  Samuel  Lane,  Mellen 
R.  Ilolbrook,  Hiram  O.  Bolles,  George  W.  Gay, Clarence  W.  Downing, 
and  Charles  H.  Bailey. 

The  town  has  rarely  deemed  it  necessary  to  maintain  a  lawyer  with- 
in her  borders,  but  it  has  raised  up  and  sent  to  other  localities  more 
needy  the  following:  Joseph  Larnerd,  Luther  Chapman,  Benjamin 
Kimball,  David  Thompson,  Asahel  H.  sBennett,  Farnum  F.  Lane, 
Daniel  K.  Healey,  Lloyd  D.  Eaton,  Milo  P^aton. 

Of  Swanzey  men  who  became  clergymen  or  were  licensed  to  preach 
are  the  names  of  Sel)astian  Streeter,  Russell  Streeter,  Robert  Crossett, 
Henry  AVoodcock,  Caleb  Sawyer,  Tristan  Aldrich,  Jonathan  Bailey, 
Asa  Withingtou,  Truman  A.  Jackson,  Don  Carlos  Taft,  Myron  AV. 
Adams. 

MAIL    CARRYING    AND    POST-MASTERS. 

Many  of  our  older  inhabitants  remember  when  the  postage  on  a  sin- 
gle letter  was  6,  10,  12^,  18f  and  25  cents,  according  to  the  distance 
cari'ied ;  25  cents  being  the  rate  when  the  distance  was  over  four  hun- 
dred miles. 

These  were  the  rates  from  1816  to  1845.  In  the  early  days  of  the 
country's  history  according  to  the  established  rates  the  postage  on  a 
one-half  ounce  letter  from  Boston  to  San  Francisco  would  be  $2.74. 
In  1845  the  rates  were  changed  to  five  cents  on  a  half  ounce  letter 
for  a  distance  not  exceeding  three  hundred  miles,  and  ten  cents  for 
any  greater  distance. 

AVe  have  no  authentic  record  of  mail  carrying  to  or  from  Swanzey 
in  colonial  and  early  days.  As  in  other  localities  it  was  doubtless 
done  on  horseback,  at  infrequent  and  probably  irregular  periods. 
For  many  years  previous  to  the  advent  of   railroads  thi-ough   the 


MISCELLANEOUS.  257 

town  the  mail  was  carried  by  stages,  then  quite  numerous.  One  of 
these  lines  extended  from  Worcester  through  Richmond  and  Swanzey 
to  Keene.  Later  a  stage  connected  Greenfield,  Mass.,  with  Keene 
passing  through  Westport,  West  Swanzey  and  Swanzey  Centre.  Af- 
ter the  Ashuelot  railroad  was  built  the  mail  for  the  Centre  for  many 
years  was  delivered  at  Sawyer's  Crossing.  More  recently  it  has  been 
carried  by  the  Keene  and  Richmond  stage. 

The  records  fail  to  tell  us  when  the  first  post-office  was  formed  at 
the  Centre  or  who  was  the  first  post-master.  It  was  the  only  post- 
office  in  town  till  1831  when  that  at  Westport  was  formed.  The 
post-office  at  West  Swanzey  was  established  in  1846,  and  that  at 
East  Swanzey  in  1873.  The  following  are  the  post-masters  with 
dates  of  appointment : 

Cevtre.  Clark  Brown,  Jan.  17,  1815;  Abel  Wilder,  Nov.  11, 
1816  ;  Abraham  Stearns,  March  29,  1819  ;  Benjamin  Page,  Sept.  1, 
1821  ;  Amos  Bailey,  April  6,  1830;  Elijah  Sawyer,  April  27,  1854; 
Willard  Adams,  1861;  Enoch  Howes,  May  28,  1872;  Asa  Healey, 
Nov.  23,  1881. 

Westport.  B.  C.  Peters,  1831 ;  Sylvanus  Bartlett,  1840  ;  Benja- 
min L.  Draper,  1858 ;  Stephen  Faulkner,  1859  ;  Henry  Holbrook, 
1861 ;  Sylvanus  Bartlett,  1862  ;  Edwin  F.  Read,  1868  ;  George  W. 
Brooks,  1870  ;  Walter  Marsh,  1882  ;  Frank  S.  Faulkner,  1886. 

West  Swanzey.  Jotham  W.  Friuk,  1846  ;  Joseph  Hammond,  1861  ; 
Edwin  F.  Read,  1863  ;  Salmon  H.  Fox,  1866  ;  Obadiah  Sprague, 
1884;  Addie  J.  Faulkner,  1889. 

East  Swanzey.  Albert  B.  Read,  1873  ;  George  W.  Willis,  1886  ; 
Albert  B.  Read,  1888. 


THE    WAK    DEBT    OF    THE    TOWN. 

The  debt  of  the  town,  principally  caused  by  the  war  of  the  Rebel- 
lion, reached  its  highest  figures  according  to  the  reports  of  the  select- 
men in  1866.  The  amount  then  due  corporations  and  individuals 
was  $63,921.86  with  assets  of  $8,403.73  ;  leaving  the  net  indebted- 
ness $55,518.13.  Of  $63,921.86,  $11,000  was  due  the  Savings 
Banks  in  Keene  ;  $120  the  Congregational  Society  ;  $800  the  town  offi- 
cers ;  and  the  remaining  $52,001.86  was  due  to  seventy-one  individ- 
uals, mostly  citizens  of  Swanzey,  and  in  sums  varying  from  $50  to 
$10,000.  This  debt  was  gradually  extinguished  year  by  year,  and 
in  1885  a  balance  in  favor  of  the  town  was  reported  in  the  treasury. 


258  HISTOKY   OF   SWANZEY. 

TOWN    PAUPERS. 

How  to  care  for  the  unfortunate  poor  by  tlie  public  in  the  most  hu- 
mane, and  at  the  same  time  in  the  most  economical  manner,  has  ever 
been  a  problem  of  difficult  solution.  The  practice  of  selling  at  public 
auction  to  the  lowest  bidder,  the  maintenance  of  a  person  by  the  week 
or  year,  as  was  done  sixt}'^  or  eight}'  years  ago,  would  hardly  be  tol- 
erated now. 

"In  1.S22,  the  maintenance  of  Adolphus  Loveland  was  set  up  at  })ub- 
lic  vendue,  to  be  supported  the  term  of  one  3'ear  with  all  necessaries 
of  life,  clothing,  doctoring,  etc.,  and  struck  off  to  Joseph  Long  ;  and 
he  is  to  receive  $54,  or  in  that  proportion  for  a  shorter  time." 

"March  13,  1821.  The  maintenance  of  Abigail  Genney  was  set  up 
at  public  auction  to  be  supported  the  term  of  one3'ear  with  all  the  nec- 
essaries of  life,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  and  pay  physicians  if  nec- 
sar}',  and  struck  off  to  John  Perry,  and  he  to  receive  S21,  or  in  that 
proportion  for  a  shorter  time." 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  in  1835  it  was  voted  that  the  select" 
men  contract  with  some  person  for  the  support  of  the  poor  for  one  or 
more  years,  not  exceeding  five  years. 

In  1837,  the  farm  now  occupied  by  L.  J.  Crouch  was  purchased  for 
a  "poor"  farm,  but  used  as  such  only  a  year  or  two  when  it  was  sold. 
After  this,  Moses  Howard  had  the  contract  for  many  j'ears  for  caring 
for  all  paupers  in  town,  and  following  him,  John  Starke}'  had  a  simi- 
lar contract. 

In  later  years  the  number  of  town  paupers  has  been  relatively 
smaller  than  formerly, — the  county  assuming  the  support  of  those  not 
having  a  residence  in  any  town. 

MARKING    SHP:F.P. 

The  practice  of  marking  or  bi'anding  sheep,  and  having  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  mark  or  brand  recorded  by  the  town  clerk,  as  autiiorized 
by  law  was  quite  common  in  the  early  years  of  the  town's  history. 
A  few  specimens  are  as  follows  : — 

"Calvin  Frink'«  mark.  A  crop  off  the  tips  of  both  ears,  and  a  slit 
lengthwise  of  the  right  ear." 

"Jonathan  Hammond's  mark.  A  crop  off  the  left  ear  and  a  slit  in 
the  same." 

"Elijah  Belding's  mark.     A  swallow  tail  in  both  ears." 

""Wyman  Richardson's  mark.  A  round  hole  about  half  an  inch  in 
diameter  in  the  middle  of  the  left  ear." 


MISCELLANEOUS.  259 


A  ROLLING   STONE. 

The  laro;e  boulder  that  lies  below  the  road  a  few  rods  west  of  the 
spring  at  E.  Swanzey,  rolled  from  the  top  of  the  hill  over  two  roads 
about  1870,  one  afternoon  just  after  the  school  children  had  passed 
beneath  it  on  their  way  home  from  school.  The  rock  supposed  to  be 
securely  embedded  had  been  undermined  by  the  earth  being  removed 
for  road  repairing.  Tlie  stone  that  lies  on  the  west  side  of  it  was 
split  off  when  it  struck  the  lower  road. 


RAIN  AND  SNOW  STORMS. 

There  were  great  freshets  on  the  South  Branch  in  August,  1826, 
and  October,  1869.  Tlie  bridge  over  the  stream  at  E.  Swanzey  was 
taken  away  on  both  occasions.  The  storm  which  produced  the  last 
freshet  was  very  extensive. 

A  remarkable  storm  occurred  Oct.  9,  1804.  It  has  been  said  that 
snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  two  feet.  The  annual  muster  of  the  regi- 
ment to  which  Swanzey  belonged  was  appointed  to  be  held  that  day 
at  Winchester.  The  storm  prevented  many  of  the  soldiers  from  reach- 
ing the  place,  and  no  duty  was  performed  by  those  that  were  enabled 
to  get  there.  The  great  snow  storm  of  March  12,  1888,  prevented 
the  annual  town  meeting  from  being  held  on  the  13th.  The  roads 
were  impassable  for  several  days. 

COLD    YEAR. 

The  summer  of  the  year  1816  has  passed  into  history  as  the  "cold 
season."  The  corn  crop  in  this  town  was  entirely  destroyed.  At 
that  time  corn  constituted  a  large  part  of  the  food  of  the  people,  and 
the  principal  article  for  fattening  their  beef  and  pork.  In  such  an 
emergency  some  supplies  were  obtained  from  Connecticut  river  towns. 

GRASSHOPPER    YEAR. 

A  severe  drought  prevailed  in  1826  through  the  summer  till  late  in 
August.  The  hay  crop  was  very  light  and  feed  in  pastures  very  scant. 
In  some  instances,  farmers  cut  down  trees  for  their  cattle  to  browse 
upon.  Grasshoppers  were  propagated  in  great  numbers.  It  seemed 
for  a  time  that  they  would  destroy  a  large  part  of  the  crop  that  es- 
caped the  drought.  At  mid-day  the  air  was  full  of  them,  and  at  the 
approach  of  evening  the  fences  were  covered  by  the  devastating 
hordes. 


260  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

TEMPERANCE. 

The  subject  of  temperance  lias  probably  received  verj'  much  the 
same  consideration  and  attention  in  this  as  in  other  towns  of  New 
Hampsliire.  The  habits  and  social  customs  of  the  peo[)le  here  have 
been  similar  to  those  elsewhere.  From  the  first  settlement  of  the 
town  to  1830  most  people  believed  that  no  harm  resulted  from  the 
moderate  use  of  spirituous  liquors,  and  their  practice  was  In  accordance 
with  their  belief.  It  was  believed  that  a  person  could  withstand  se- 
vere cold  or  great  heat  better  after  having  drank  a  limited  quantity 
of  liquor.  It  was  used  by  all  classes  of  people  both  on  festive  and 
mournful  occasions,  at  the  raising  of  buildings,  at  military  parades, 
on  the  farm  and  in  the  shop. 

The  selling  of  liquor  at  retail  constituted  a  large  part  of  the  busi- 
ness of  the  hotel  keeper  and  the  country  merchant. 

It  appears,  however,  that  public  opinion  did  i^.ot  concede  to  any 
one  the  right  to  sell  without  a  license.  The  object  of  the  license  was 
to  keep  the  business  in  respectable  hands,  and  keep  those  out  of  it 
who  would  not  manage  it  with  discretion.  The  following  are  samples 
of  the  licenses  that  were  given  from  time  to  time,  and  the  character 
of  the  men  that  obtained  them. 

"May  28,  1821.  We  the  subscribers  do  license  Abraham  Stearns,  jr., 
to  retail  and  mix  liquors  in  the  store  lately- occupied  by  Cyrus  Brooks 
in  Swanzey,  for  six  months. 

AbelWilson,  -v  Selectmen 

Wyman  Richardson,  >  of 

Farnum  Fish,  *  Swanzey. 

"May  29,  1821.  "We  the  subscribers  do  license  Bela  Chase  and 
Benjamin  Page  to  retail  and  mix  liquors  in  the  store  lately  occupied 
by  Abraham  Stearns,  jr.,  in  Swanzey  lor  the  term  of  one  year  from 
this  date. 


Farnum  Fish,  )  Selectmen 

Abel  Wdson,  )  Swanzey. 


"May  26,  1824.  To  whom  it  may  concern,  we,  the  subscribers,  do 
hereby  license  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  jr.,  to  exercise  the  business  of 
retailing  of  spirituous  liquors  at  his  store  in  Swanze}- ,  for  the  term  of 
one  year. 

Daniel  Wetherbee,  ^  Selectmen 

Siuibael  Seaver,  >  of 

Thomas  Wheelock,  jr.,     J  Swanzey. 


MISCELLANEOUS.  261 

"Oct.  5,  1827.  In  consideration  of  twenty  dollars  paid  by  Messrs. 
John  Stratton  and  Jonathan  Whitcomb,  jr.,  we,  the  snbscribers,  se- 
lectmen of  the  town  of  Swanzey,  do  hereby  license  said  Stratlon  and 
Wiiiteonib,  to  mix  and  sell  spirits  by  small  quantities  in  their  store, 
near  the  Baptist  meeting  honse,  in  said  Swanzey,  for  tlie  term  of  one 
year  from  this  date,  and  also  to  sell  by  retail  all  kinds  of  spirits  at 
said  store  for  the  same  term  of  time. 

Elijah  Belding,  )  Selectmen 

of 


1 


Amos  Bailey,  )  Swanzey. 

People  did  not  believe  in  drunkenness  at  the  time  when  most  of 
them  drank  intoxicating  liquor.  Tliey  were  ratlier  tolerant  of  one 
wlio  niigiiton  some  particular  occasion  when  the  temptation  was  great, 
drink  to  excess,  but  the  habitual  drunkard  was  execrated  then  as  he 
is  now. 

Tlie  work  of  tliose  who  first  commenced  to  bring  about  a  temper- 
ance reformation  was  maiidy  directed  against  the  use  of  distilled 
liquor,  and  obtaining  pledges  not  to  use  it,  but  allowing  the  use  of 
wine  and  cider.  But  the  temperance  reformer  soon  found  out  tlie 
necessity  of  including  all  intoxicating  liquor  in  temperance  pledges, 
for  consistent  temperance  work.  In  the  early  days  of  the  temperance 
movement,  it  received  a  stronger  and  more  powerful  support  from 
the  clergy  than  from  any  other  class  of  people.  Many  of  the  most 
popular  doctors  very  early  gave  the  cause  their  hearty  support.  No 
man  in  this  vicinity  did  more  for  it  tlian  Dr.  James  Batcheller  of 
Marlboro,  by  his  influence  and  lectures. 

Wiienever  the  voters  of  Swanzey  have  acted  upon  the  liquor  question, 
the  vote  has  been  against  licensing  the  sale  of  liquor  when  that  has 
been  the  issue,  and  in  favor  of  su[)pressing  the  sale  of  it;  but  there 
has  generally  been  liquor  sold  in  the  town  in  defiance  of  law  and  the 
public  sentiment  of  the  people. 

BOATING  ON  THE  ASHUELOT  RIVER. 

About  the  year  1800  a  company  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  boat- 
ing on  the  Ashuelot  river,  the  design  being  to  take  heavy  articles 
brought  up  the  Connecticut  river  in  boats,  tiausfer  them  by  teams 
past  the  rapids  in  Hinsdale  and  Winchester,  and  then  boat  them  to 
Keene.  Locks  were  built  at  the  falls  in  AVestport  and  West  Swanzey, 
and  one  loaded  boat  only  was  propelled  up  the  river  and  the  enter- 
prise was   abandoned.   "It  did'nt   pay."     The  locks  at  Westport  were 


262 


HISTORY    OF   SAVANZEY. 


utilized  b}'  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the  pUice  and  served  as 
flumes  for  properly  conveying  the  water. 


JUSTICES    OF 

The  following  persons  have  held 
peace  in  Swanzey. 
Amos  Bailey, 
Sylvanus  Bartlett, 
Henry  l^axter, 
Eli  jail  Belding, 
Luke  Bennett, 
Rufus  Bowen, 
George  Buckliu, 
Elijah  Carpenter, 
Nehemiah  Cummings, 
George  I.  Cutler, 
Franklin  Downing, 
Stephen  Faulkner, 
Farnum  Fish, 
Calvin  Frink, 
Jotham  W.  Frink, 
Joseph  Hammond,  Jr., 
Charles  N.  Hills, 
Aaron  Holbrook, 


THE  PEACE. 

commissions  as  justices  of    the 

Franklin  Holman, 
Enoch  Howes, 
Asa  S.  Kendall, 
Josiah  Parsons, 
Barnabas  C.  Peters, 
William  Read, 
Benjamin  Read, 
Elijah  Sawyer, 
Obadiah  Sprague  (not.  pub.) 
Isaac  Stratton, 
Alonzo  A.  AVare, 
Daniel  Wetherbee, 
Thos.  T.  Wetherbee, 
Levi  AVillard, 
George  AV.  AVillis, 
Abel  AVilson, 
Voluey  AA^oodcock. 


SUPERVISORS  OF  THE    ClIKCK    LIST. 

1878     Joseph  O.  Gary,  George  F..  AVliitcomb, 

Benjamin  Read. 
1880     George  E.  AVhiteomb,  George  AA\  AVillis, 

Henry  Holbrook. 
1882     Obadiah  Sprague,  Daniel  Snow, 

Park  E.  Wright. 
1884     Park  E.  AVright,  Frank  X.  Stone, 

Arthur  A.  AVoodward. 
1886     Edmund  Stone,  George  A.  Seaver, 

Charles  R.  Worcester. 
1888     Josiah  Parsons,  Fred  H.  Dickerman, 

Arthur  A  -AA^oodward. 
1890     Josiah  Parsons,  Fred  H.  Dickerman, 

Arthur  A.  AA'oodward. 


MISCELLANEOUS.  263 


GREAT    SNOWSTORM. 

The  greatest  and  most  severe  snowstorm  ever  known  in  Swanzey 
occurred  on  the  12th  and  13th  days  of  March,  1888,  as  realized  by 
Edmund  Stone,  George  A.  Seaver  and  Charles  R.  Worcester,  super- 
visors of  the  check  list  of  the  town.  Agreeably  to  appointment  they 
met  at  the  town  house  on  the  12th  inst.  at  two  o'clock  p.  m.  for  the 
coirecting  of  the  check  list,  and  at  four  o'clock,  having  closed  their 
session,  on  leaving  the  iiouse,  they  found  it  almost  impossible,  on 
account  of  the  driving  storm  and  the  depth  of  snow  to  reach  the 
stable  for  their  teams.  Stone  and  Worcester,  after  consultation,  finally 
started  in  the  blinding  storm  for  home  ;  but  when  about  twenty  rods 
away  the  horse  fell  in  the  snow  and  was  partially  buried  therein  ;  they 
assisted  it  in  rising,  and  were  glad  to  return  to  the  stable,  on  reaching 
which,  Stone  foiuid  both  of  his  ears  frozen. 

Seaver  with  his  team  started  for  home  at  West  Swanzey,  three  miles 
away,  but  was  met  by  Stone  and  Worcester  who  told  him  that  it  was 
impossible  to  push  through.  Seaver  replied  that  he  must  go  home,  as 
a  man  can  always  go  home  when  he  can  go  nowhere  else,  and  moved 
on;  but  soon  confronted  by  the  fury  of  the  storm,  he  returned,  and 
all  put  up  for  the  night. 

The  next  day,  the  warrant  calling  for  a  town  meeting  remained  in 
the  box  unmolested,  as  it  was  impossible  for  the  people  to  get  to  the 
town  house.  In  the  meantime,  Stone  harnessed  his  team  and  started 
for  home  about  a  mile  away.  He  was  met  by  his  son  Lyman  with  a 
shovel  and  succeeded  in  reaching  home  in  safety.  Worcester,  also 
living  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  out  wallowed  through  amid  the 
drifts  and  driving  wind  to  his  home. 

■  Seaver,  leaving  his  team,  started  for  his  home  at  twenty  minutes  past 
two  o'clock  p.  M.,  crossing  the  trackless  plain  and  having  reached  the 
road  by  the  Indian  sandbank  where,  seemingly,  the  drift  was  twelve  or 
,  fifteen  feet  deep,  and  utterly  impassable,  he  crossed  the  road  and  went  up 
the  river  to  Worcester's,  thinking  to  reach  the  raikoad  at  the  Swanzey 
depot  and  find  an  easier  and  quicker  route  home.  AYorcester  think- 
ing the  trip  would  be  a  hazardous  one,  said  he  had  better  remain  over 
with  him.  No,  he  said,  he  must  go  home.  Worcester  went  with  him  to 
the  railroad  bridge  and  then  returned  to  his  home.  After  Seaver  had 
crossed  the  bridge  finding  the  snow  so  deep  in  the  valley  on  the  track 
that  he  could  not  make  any  advance,  he  climbed  up  on  the  east  side  of 
the  bank  to  the  wall,  which  was  scarcely  visible,  using  his  umbrella  as 
a  support,  and  now  at  dark,  he  travelled  on  the  wall  to  the  end  there- 


264  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

of ;  then,  stmo-olinp;  to  the  track,  notwithstanding  he  was  very  weary, 
he  pushed  forward  till  he  reached  the  "Cut"  on  the  road,  near  Eaton's 
burnt  ruins,  the  snow  being  fully  ten  feet  in  depth  here,  lie  found  him- 
self unable  to  advance  a  foot ;  every  effort  to  step  dropped  him  loAver 
in  the  snow.  There  in  the  darkness  of  night,  strength  nearly  exhausted, 
clothes  saturated  with  sw^eat,  limbs  badly  cramped  after  a  struggle  of 
nearly  half  an  hour,  he  felt  that  he  could  not  get  out,  that  there  he 
must  perish  alone  ;  but  knowing  that,  ceasing  his  efforts,  eJiills  would 
come  upon  him,  and  his  desire  being  so  strong  to  get  home,  he  exerted 
his  utmost  strength  to  reach  the  highway.  In  treading  his  way  his 
foot  struck  a  small  birch  tree  standing  on  the  bank,  bent  down  towards 
the  track,  under  the  snow.  This  he  seized  and  pulled  himself  up  to 
the  bars,  his  foot  striking  a  board  about  twelve  feet  long  which  he 
pulled  out  of  the  snow  and  placed  it  forward  of  him,  on  which  he 
walked  its  length,  and  thus  utilized  the  board  till  he  reached  O.  S. 
Eaton's.  Then,  being  so  exhausted,  he  left  the  board  and  wallowed 
on  till,  passing  N.  C.  Carter's,  he  came  near  Gi'eenleaf's  gate  when, 
with  the  aid  of  his  umbrella,  he  climlied  the  wall  on  which  he  made  ad- 
vance, falling  off,  and  climbing  on  again  until  he  reached  the  Bailey 
brook,  when  he  became  so  weak  and  badlj'  cramped  that  he  could 
travel  no  further.  Here  he  discovered  a  light  in  the  village ;  then  Avith 
umbrella  in  hand  laid  horizontally  on  the  snow  he  crawled  on  his  hands 
and  knees  to  the  track  (seemingly  he  could  not  move),  for  the  first  time 
in  his  life  he  becanic  faint,  and  had  not  voice  enough  to  call  for  help ; 
but  he  nmst  go  home,  and  with  a  strong  will  power  he  was  enabled  to 
reach  the  house  of  B.  F.  Bowen,  and  aided  by  him  he  reached  home 
at  twenty  minutes  past  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening.  Not  until  the 
17th  inst.  were  the  roads  opened  so  that  he  could  go  after  his  team. 

SECRET  SOCIETIES. 

There  is  no  record  of  any  organization  of  Free  INIasons  or  Odd  Fel- 
lows in  Swanzey  ;  but  at  all  times  since  near  the  first  settlement  there 
have  been  Masons  in  this  town  belonging  to  lodges  in  adjoining  towns  ; 
and  since  the  institution  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  this  country  the  same 
may  be  said  of  that  order.  Some  of  the  early  clergy  and  other  prominent 
men  were  Masons.  In  later  years  a  multitude  of  secret  societies  have 
sprung  into  existence,  some  of  an  ephemeral  nature,  designed  to  ac- 
complish a  certain  object  and  then  pass  away,  while  others  appear  to  be 
of  a  permanent  character  and  have  come  to  stay. 

In  IHoG  the  American  or  Know-nothing  party,  a  secret  political  or- 
ganization, suddenly  appeared  in  the  country  and  very  soon  vanished. 


MISCELLANEOUS.  265 

Swanzey,  in  common  with  otlier  towns  iu  New  England,  helped  to  swell 
the  Avave  that  swept  over  the  laud.  It  is  not  well  known  who  were  the 
principal  managers  in  this  movement  as  few  of  the  leaders  care  to  be 
recognized  as  such  in  history. 

Good  Templars. 

About  1868  the  "Ark  of  Safety"  Lodge  of  Good  Templars,  No.  78, 
was  formed  at  West  Swanzey.  This  was  an  organization  in  the  interest 
of  the  temperance  movement.  Under  the  inspiration  of  Hon,  A.  S. 
Kendall  and  his  wife,  S.  C.  Kendall,  O.  Sprague  and  other  temperance 
workers  it  flourished  some  five  or  six  years  and  exerted  a  salutary  in- 
fluence in  training  the  youth  in  habits  of  sobriety  and  in  restraining  the 
illegal  sale  of  liquor. 

Golden  Cross, 

The  United  Order  of  the  Golden  Cross,  Swanzey  Commandery,  No. 
151 ,  was  instituted  at  East  Swanzey,  August  2d,  IJSSI.  This  is  abenefit 
or  life  insurance  association,  designed  also  to  advance  social  improve- 
ment, temperance,  etc.  The  charter  members  were  Edward  Wilcox, 
Ellen  A.  Ramsdell,  Ahmson  W.  Banks,  Albert  B.  Read,  Thankful  B, 
Read,  William  F,  Read,  Ella  C,  Read,  Francis  M.  Taft,  Sarah  L.  Taft, 
Nathan  F.  Newell,  Emily  B.  Newell,  Martin  L,  Lane,  Flora  E,  Lane, 
Henry  C,  Lane,  Lucy  Mabel  Lane,  Joseph  E.  Long,  Lois  A.  Long, 
James  E,  Handy,  Arthur  A,  Woodward,  Clara  M.  Lane,  P^l)enezer 
F.  Lane,  Hannah  P,  Lane,  James  M,  Ramsdell,  Hattie  R.  Ramsdell, 
Clara  M.  Lane,  Dr.  Geo.  I.  Cutler,  Geo  E.  Lane,  S.  Lizzie  Lane. 

Over  sixty  others  have  joined  this  commandery  and  it  has  been  at 
all  times  and  now  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

Its  first  officers  were  A.  W.  Banks,  Past  Noble  Commander;  Ed- 
ward Wilcox,  Noble  Commander  ;  Pollen  A.  Ramsdell,  Vice  Noble  Com- 
mander; Martin  L.  Lane.  Prelate-;  A.  B.  Read,  W.  Herald;  Clara 
N.  Lane,  Keeper  of  Records  ;  Geo.  E.  Lane,  Financial  Keeper  of  Re- 
cords ;  Henry  C.  Lane,  Treasurer ;  Ella  C.  Read,  Warden  Inner  Gate  ; 
A.  A.  Woodward,  Warden  Outer  Gate. 

The  Noble  Commandeis  have  been  Edward  Wilcox,  Jas.  M.  Rams- 
dell, Geo.  E.  Lane,  A.  B.  Read,  C.  M.  Lane,  A.  W.  Banks,  W.  C. 
Belding,  C.  H.  Applin,  C.  G.  Ramsdell,  A.  A.  Woodward,  C.  A. 
Bouvier. 

The  Golden  Star  Commandery,  No.  319,  U.  O.  G.  C,  was  instituted 
at  West  Swanzey,  July  16,  1887,  by  Deputy  Grand  Commander  A.  B. 
Read,  with  fourteen  charter  members  as  follows  :     Park   E     Wright, 
18 


266  HISrORY   OF   swanzky. 

Mary  E.  Wright,  Herbert  O.  Young,  Carrie  E.  Young,  Charles  B.  Spar- 
hawk,  Alice  L.  Sparhawk,  Geo.  B.  Richardson,  Ara  L.  Richardson, 
Ansel  K.  Bourn,  Ilattie  E.  Bourn,  Edward  H.Snow,  Mary  L.  Handy, 
Albert  M.  Hardy,  Calista  Hill.  The  numljer  of  members  January  1, 
1892,  is  seventy-two.  The  Noble  Commanders  have  been  :  Herl)ert  O. 
Young,  Charles  B.  Sparhawk,  James  E.  Handy,  Geo.  W.  Richardson, 
George  C.  Wright,  Lester  H.  Towne. 

Officers  for  the  1st  term,  1892:  N.  C,  P.  E.  Wright;  V.  N.  C, 
Minnie  Wright;  AY.  P.,  James  E.  Handy;  W.  H.,  Joseph  Rugg ;  F. 
R.  of  R..  Archie  Thompson;  R.  of  R.,  Nellie  Thompson;  W.  T., 
Carrie  Young  ;  W.  I.  G.,  Addie  Eames  ;  W.  O.  G.,  Ansel  IJourn. 

77ie  Grange. 

The  organization  called  The  Grange^  for  the  especial  benefit  of 
farmers  and  their  families,  which  has  flourished  for  many  years  at  the 
west,  has  only  recently  appeared  in  New  Hampshire.  Golden  Rod 
Grange,  No.  114,  was  instituted  March  15,  1886,  by  general  deputy 
E.  C.  Hutchinson  of  Milford,  with  the  following  charter  members : — 
William  C.  Belding,  Andrew  B.  Cook,  Calvin  E.  Hills,  Charles  H. 
Rockwood.  George  Carpenter,  Lyman  M. "Stone,  Albert  B.  Read,  Geo. 
L.  Underwood.  Zina  G.  Taft,  AYilliam  C.  Belding,  jr.,  Hicliard  R- 
Ramsdell,  jr..  Marcus  C.  Stone,  Benjamin  F.  Mead,  Benjamin  Read, 
Geo.  L  Cutler,  M.D.,  Mrs.  E.  H.  G.  Taft,  Miss  Nellie  M.  Belding, 
Mrs.  L.  J.  W.  Carpenter,  Mrs.  Leaffle  J.  Stone,  Miss  Alice  A. 
Stanley,  Mrs.  Eva  L.  Ramsdell,  Mrs.  Anna  G.  Hills. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  : — Master,  W.  C.  Belding  ;  Over- 
seer, C.  E.  Hills;  Lecturer.  B.  Read;  StCAvard,  C.  H.  Rockwood; 
Assistant  Steward  Z.  G.  Taft;  Chaplain,  L.  M.  Stone;  Treasurer, 
George  Carpenter ;  Secretary,  Mrs.  Annie  G.  Hills ;  Gate-keeper,  G. 
L.  Underwood ;  Pomona,  Mrs.  E.  L.  Ramsdell;  Flora,  Mrs.  L.  J. 
Stone;  Ceres,  Mrs.  E.  H.  G.  Taft;  Lady  Assistant  Steward,  Miss 
Alice  A.  Stanley. 

The  following  have  been  the  leading  officers  of  The  Grange  since 
1886 :      • 

1887.  Master,  Clias.  H.  Rockwood;  Overseer,  C.  E.  Hills;  Lecturer, 

B.  Read. 

1888.  Master,  C.  H.  Rockwood ;  Overseer,  C.  E.  Hills  ;  Lecturer,  Mrs. 

E.  H.  G.  Taft. 

1889.  Master,  Zina  G.  Zaft ;  Overseer,  Marcus  C.  Stone;  Lecturer, 

Mrs.  E.  H.  G.  Taft. 

1890.  Master,  Marcus  C.  Stone  ;  Overseer,  G.  L.  Underwood  ;  Lectur- 

er, Geo.  Carpenter. 


MISCELLANEOUS.  267 

1891.  Master,  M.  C.  Stone;  Overseer,  G.  L.  Underwood;  Lecturer, 

G.  Carpenter. 

1892.  Master,     Henry  W.  Banks;  Overseer,   L.    LoAvell   Belding ; 

Lecturer,  INIrs.  L.  A.  Carlton. 

The  meetings  of  the  Grange  were  held  at  the  houses  of  the  mem- 
bers and  at  the  vestry  of  the  Cougregationl  Church  until  1891,  when  the 
membership  was  so  large  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  hold  them  at  the 
town  hall.  The  numbers  at  the  close  of  each  year  have  been  as  follows  : 
1887,  31  ;  1888,  40  ;  1889,  49  ;  1890,  91  ;  1891,  12,5.  It  is  the  largest 
Grange  in  the  county  except  that  at  Iveene. 

Lincoln  Grange,  No.  159,  was  instituted  at  West  Swanzey,  Dec.  31, 
1890,  with  sixteen  charter  members,  viz. :  Geo.  O.  Caprou,  Rose  L. 
Capron,  James  K.  Handy,  Mary  L.  Handy.  Herbert  O.  Young,  Carrie 
E.  Young.  Albert  M,  Hard}^  Oliver  Capron.  Park  K.  Wright,  Mary 
E.  Wright,  Geo.  C.  Wright,  Minnie  A.  Wright,  Geo.  W.  Richardson, 
Ara  L.  Richardson,  J,  Byron  Porter,  Flora  M.  Porter. 

The  following  are  its  officers,  viz.  :  Worthy  Master,  P.  E.  Wright; 
Worthy  Overseer,  C.  J.  P^aiues  ;  Worthy  Lecturer,  J.  E.  Handy  ; 
Worthy  Assistant  Lecturer,  Mrs.  Woodward  ;  Worthy  Steward,  B.  C. 
Snow;  Worthy  Assistant  Steward,  G.  C.  Wright;  Worthy  Chaplain, 
A.  M.  Hardy  ;  Worthy  Secretary,  Mrs.  S.  C.  Kendall ;  Worthy  Treas- 
urer, Mrs.  Angle  Woodward  ;  Ceres,  Mrs.  Wright ;  Flora,  Jennie Thoru- 
ing  ;  Pomona,  Addie  Karnes  ;  Lady  Assistant  Steward,  M.  A.  Wright. 
Number  of  members  Jan.  1,  1892,  61. 

A  BEAK  STORY. 

About  the  year  1800  as  General  Philemon  Whitcomb  and  two  sons, 
Benjamin  and  Abijah,  were  examining  a  large  territory  of  old  growth 
pine  timber  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  south  from  Mrs.  Susan  Jolm- 
son's,  and  near  the  "Ware  Barn,"  their  attention  was  attracted  by  the 
barking  of  their  little  dog,  and  on  examination  found  that  the  dog  had 
discovered  some  kind  of  an  animal  in  a  cave,  under  a  huge  boulder, 
now  visible,  which  they  thought  might  be  a  bear.  They  barricaded 
the  entrance  of  the  cave  that  he  might  not  escape,  and  then  sent  for 
John  Grimes,  who  being  a  hunter  and  trapper  came  with  an  axe,  if 
need  be,  to  kill  the  bear  supposed  to  be  therein,  if  he  attempted  to 
escape;  hut  the  General,  being  a  military  man  and  fond  of  riding 
horseback,  did  not  want  the  bear  killed  for  he  wanted  to  bridle  her 
with  a  cod  line  and  ride  bear  back,  so  Grimes  told  them  to  remove 
the  obstruction  from  the  entrance  to  the  cave,  while  he  with  uplifted 
axe,  stood  ready  to  meet  Bruin  as  she  came  out 


268  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

After  patient  waiting  for  the  disturbatice  of  the  intruders  to  cease, 
the  rage  of  liruin  began  to  show  itself,  and  she  was  determined  to 
make  her  egress  and  eject  her  intruders  or  lay  down  her  life  in  the 
conflict,  and  soon  made  her  appearance  when  Grimes  struck  iicr  on 
the  head  with  the  head  of  tlie  axe.  Tiie  blow  staggered  her  back  some- 
what: but  she  soon  lallied,  anil  Avith  iiicreasiiig  rage,  made  another 
attempt  to  come  out,  when  (Jrrmes  pUinged  the  bit  of  the  axe  into  her 
head,  but  this  did  not  stop  lu'i'.  Rage  added  to  madness,  she  came  out 
and  the  General,  not  having  time  to  l)ridlelier  witli  cod  line.  s[)rangupon 
her  liack  and  rode  away,  not  dismounting,  until  she  fell  dead  under 
him.  although  rot  a  great  distance  away. — E.  G.  S. 

A   WOLF  STOHY. 

Many  years  ago  there  lived  a  Mr.  Fairbrother  in  West  Swanzey,  on 
a  farm  once  owned  by  Clement  Sumner,  later  by  Arba  Stearns,  and 
now  owned  by  Charles  J.  Hanrahan,  whose  house  stood  east  of  the 
now-standing  barn,  and  the  road  passed  between  them.  Whilft  Mr. 
Fairbrother  was  shingling  the  roof  of  his  buildini>-.  the  weather  beincr 
warm  and  fine,  his  child,  having  been  at  play  there,  fell  asleep  on  a 
pile  of  shavings  which  came  from  the  shingles,  and  while  quietly  sleep- 
ing a  wolf  came  Crom  the  near  forest  probabW  scenting  the  child, 
covered  it  with  shavings,  hastened  back  to  the  forest  and  invited  liig 
friends  to  share  with  him  the  collation  which  he  had  secured.  The 
father  discovered  the  wolf  before  he  had  fully  hidden  the  child,  and 
probably  thinking  the  safety  of  the  child  would  be  more  sure  did  not 
molest  him  till  after  he  retmned  to  the  forest;  then  he  descended, 
aroused  the  little  sleeper  and  took  it  on  the  roof  Avith  him.  Soon  the 
wolf  returned  with  two  or  three  companions  with  sharpened  appetites 
to  enjoy  the  repast ;  but  when  the  wolf  removed  the  shavings  and  found 
an  empty  table,  and  that  the  precious  meal  was  gone,  he  appeared  dis- 
ajjpointed  and  troubled,  whereupon  the  guests,  greatly  enraged  at  the 
imposition,  pitched  upon  their  host  and  killed  him. — E.  G.  S. 


GENEALOGIES. 


19 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Genealogical  Records. 

ABBOTT. 

Hknry^  Abbott  {Tsaac^  of  Chesterfield) ^  b.  Dec.  16,  1818;  m.,  1st, 
Clarinda  C.  (b.  Nov.  30,  1825;  d.  Nov.  9,  1881),  dau.  of  Paul  F. 
Aldiich;  111.,  2iid,  Jan.  1,  1885,  Melissa  S.  (b.  Nov.  10,  1839),  dau. 
of  Rufus  Thompson.  Children  :  George  H.,  b.  Oct.  27,  1846.  Frank 
F.,  b.  March  4,  1849.  Mary  C,  b.  March  16,  1853;  d.  July  24, 
1859.     Mabel  E.,  b.  Aug.  26,  1862  ;  m.  Henry  F.  Whitconib. 

George  H.3  Abbott  (Ilenry,'^  Isaac^),  b.  Oct.  27,  1846;  m.  Ella 
(b.  July  27,  1848),  dau.  of  John  S.  Thayer.  Children  :  Susie  S.,  b. 
Aug.  15,  1868;  d.  Jan.  23,  1875.     Marguerite,  b.  Sept.  20,  1876. 

Frank  F.^  Abbott  {Henry,-  Isaac^),  b.  March  4,  1849  ;  m,  Nov. 
19,  1871,  Mary  E.  (b.  Sept.  2,  1850),  dau.  of  David  Woodward. 
Child  :  Rupert  H.,  b.  June  26,  1876. 

William  Abbott  m.  Oct.  30,  1804,  Sally,  dau.  of  Nathan  Wood- 
cock ;  she  was  b.  March  1,  1783. 

ADAMS. 

WiLLARD-  Adams  (Thomas,^  of  New  Salem,  Mass.),  b.  Dec.  6, 
1806  ;  d.  in  Woburn,  Mass.,  July  19,^1883;  ni.,  1st,  Anstris  (b.  May 
5,  1808  ;  d.  Dec.  14,  1880),  dau.  of  Joseph  Joslin  ;  m.,  2ud,  a  lady  in 
Woburn.  Children:  Josepii  Willard,  b.  in  Wells,  Me.,  Aug.  31, 
1835.  Thomas,  b.  in  Wells,  Me.,  June  22,  1837.  Emily  Joslin,  b. 
in  Woburn,  Mass.,  Apr.  2,  1839  ;  d.  March  31,  1840.  Randall,  b.  in 
Woburn,  Sept.  23,  1841  ;  d.  Feb.  17,  1842.  Amasa  Randall,  b.  Jan. 
19,  1847;  d.  Apr.  9,  1847.  Emily  Lucretia,  b.  July  28,  1848;  m. 
Levi  A.  Fuller  of  Marlborough,  Oct.  30,  1866.  Everett,  b.  June  19, 
1850. 

Joseph  W.^  Adams  {Willard,"  Thomas^),  b.  Aug.  31,  1835;  m. 
Mary  Emeline  Dix  (b.  183G)  of  Wakefield,  Mass. 

(271) 


272  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

TiiOMAs3  Adams  (Willarcl,^  Thomas^),  b.  June  22,  1837;  m.  Aug. 
17,  18G2,  Nancy  Jane  Thompson  (b.  1839)  of  Geneva,  N.  Y. 

EvEHETT^  Adams  (Willard,-  Thomas^),  b.  June  19,  1850;  ni.  Em- 
ma S.  (b.  March  31,  1850),  dan.  of  George  W.  Ellis.  Children: 
George,  b.  Oct.  20,  1873.     Lottie  E.,  b.  June  25,  1875. 

John  Brooks^  Adams  (Albert^  of  Rinclge),  b.  Aug.  12,  1842;  m. 
May  23,  1872,  Mary  J.  (b.  Nov.  11,  1850),  dau.  of  Samuel  Wood- 
bury of  Winchendon,  Mass.  Children  :  George  Arthur,  b.  Feb.  5, 
1873.  Fred  Albert,  b.  July  G,  1875.  John  Henry,  b.  June  15,  1878. 
Edwin  Myron,  b.  Aug.  7,  1882. 

Myron2  W.  Adams  (Rev.  Ezra^  of  Gihum),  b.  Nov.  27,  1860  ;  m. 
May  29,  1884,  Nellie  B.,  dau.  of  AVilliam  F.  Davis,  Denmark,  Me. 

Elijah  H.2  Adams  {Elijah^  of  Keene),  b.  in  Keene,  Nov.  28, 1826  ; 
m.  Sept.  19,  1848,  Luthera  (b.  in  this  town,  Aug.  18,  1827),  dau.  of 
Silas  Howe.  Children:  Marion  A.,  b.  Feb.  18,  1850;  m.  June  2, 
1869,  INIarvin  D.  Lewis;  lives  in  Orange,  Mass.  Charles  L.,  b.  Dec. 
15,  1851 ;  m.  Dec.  15, 1880,  Julia  E.  Caldwell  of  Ryegate,  Vt.,  where 
they  now  live.  LydiaA.,  b.  March  25,  1854  ;  m.  Oct.  30,  1877,  Wil- 
liam S.  Blair  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  where  they  resided.  Sarah  M.,  b. 
March  27,  1856  ;  m.  March  21,  1883,  Horace  W.  Baker  of  Warwick, 
Mass.,  where  they  reside.  Uleyetta  C,  b.  Apr.  2,  1858,  in  Marlbor- 
ough ;  lives  in  Troy.  John,  b.  Oct.  19,  1860;  d.  in  Troy,  Mar.  14, 
1862.  Susan  E.,  b.  Jan.  6,  1863,  m.  Dec.  24,  1889,  Fred  E.  Whit- 
comb  of  Tro}',  where  they  reside;  the  last  four  born  in  Marlborough. 

ALEXANDER. 

George  W.^  Alexander  (Caleb^  of  Winchester),  b.  1814;  m.  May 
22,  1842,  Harriet  (b.  Apr.  5,  1819),  dau.  of  John  Stratton  ;  he  d.  July 
15,  1883.     Child:  Ellen  L.,  adopted  dau.,  m.  Ripley  Nittrowr. 

Calvin^  Alexander  {Joseph^  of  Troy),  b.  Apr.  23,  1816  ;  m.  Feb. 
19,  1843,  Abbie  Ann  (b.  Dec.  5,  1822),  dau.  of  George  W.  Murphey, 
New  Ipswich  ;  d.  Dec.  18, 1888.  Children  :  George  D.,  b.  July  3,  1847  ; 
d.  March  18,  1866.  Abbie  Frances,  b.  Nov.  27,  1854;  m.  Herbert 
^y.  Mason.  Hattie  Rebecca,  b.  Aug  21,  1859  ;  m.  James  M.  Rams- 
dell. 

Luther2  Alexander  {Joseph^  of  Troy),  b.  May  1,  1825  ;  m.  Sept. 
7,  1848,  Lydia  S.  (b.  Sept.  9,  1832),  dau.  of  Stephen  Harris.     Chil- 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  273 

dren:  Walter  S.,  b.  May  9,  1849.  Martha  A.,  b.  Dec.  24,  1853; 
m.  George  E.  Fuller  of  Marlborough,  Jan.  24,  1872.  Lillian  M.,  b. 
Oct.  2,  1856  ;  m.  Jasper  E.  Lovering.  Lora  E.,  b.  April  29,  1860; 
m.  Fred  A.  Carter  of  Winchendon,  Mass.  Nellie  M.,  b.  March  8, 
1865  ;  m.  Charles  A.  Barden  of  Richmond. 

Charles^  Alexander  {Joseph^  of  Troy),  b.  March  5,  1831 ;  m. 
March  27,  1856,  Ellen  C.  (b.  July  19,  1837),  dau.  of  Philo  Applin  ; 
d.  in  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  Aug.  31,  1889.  Children  :  Charles  W.,  b.  Oct. 
28,  1857.  Julian  E.,  b.  April  14,  1859.  Frank  P.,  b.  July  28,  1860  ; 
d.  May  6,  1883.  Willie  E.,  b.  March  8,  1862;  d.  Oct.  31,  18G3. 
Willie  W.,  b.  Sept.  8,  1863.  Earl  E.,  b.  March  20,  1865  ;  d.  June  4, 
1887. 

Walter  Scott^  Alexander  (Ltither,'^  Joseph^),  b.  Maj'  9,  1849  ; 
tn.  June  16,  1880,  Nellie  Adaline  (b.  .Jan.  1,  1862),  dau.  of  Hernion 
L.  Lincoln.     Child:   Koland  Luther,  1).  Apr.  21,  1884. 

albee. 
Benjamin  Albee  was  a  resident  of  Mendon,  Mass.,  as  early  as  1667. 
The  line  of  descent  from  him  to  Hardin  Albee  was  b}'  John,  b.  in 
Mendon,  1680;  John,   b.   in  Mendon,  1721;  Ichabod,  b.   1755;  re- 
moved to  Westmoreland. 

Hardin^  Albee  (Ichabod,'^  John,^  JoJin,^  Benjamin,'^  of  Mendon, 
Mass.),  b.  March  8,  1800;  d.  Nov.  13,  1863;  ra.,  1st,  March  25, 
1827,  Almira  H.  (b.  March  23,  1804;  d.  March  16,  1853),  dau.  of 
Philip  Howard  of  Winchester ;  ra.,  2nd,  March  2,  1854,  Anna  A.  (b. 
Se[)t.  5,  1819),  dau.  of  Capt.  Calvin  May  of  Gilsum.  Children: 
Almira  Melissa,  b.  Jan.  7,  1828;  m.  Abraham  Stearns.  George 
Hardin,  b.  Jan.  2,  1831.  Ida  Marioq,  b.  Sept.  12,  1855  ;  d.  Aug.  18, 
1865. 

Ahira^  Albee  (Ichabod,'^  JoJin,^  John,-  Benjambi^),  b.  April  7, 
1790  ;  d.  at  the  home  of  his  brother  Hardin,  July  25,  1853. 

George  H.''  Albee  {Hardin,^  Iclmbod,^  John, ^  John, ^  Benjamin^) , 
b.  Jan.  2,  1831;  ra.  April  23,  1859,  Mary  A.  Burns  (b.  April  23, 
1835  ;  d.  Jan,  17,  1886).  Children  :  Jennie  Almira,  b.  Aug.  31,  1860. 
Annie  Marion,  b.  May  25,  1862.     He  lives  in  Neenah,  Wis. 

aldrich. 
Amasa  Aldrich,!  b.  in  Mendon,  Mass.,  June  13,  1760 ;  ra.  Nov.  1, 
1780,  Uranah  Paine  (b,  Sept.  17,  1763)  ;  d.  Dec.  2,  1813.     She  m., 


274  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

2nd,  June  3,  1818,  Gen.  Philemon  Whiteomb ;  d.  Feb.,  1843.  Chil- 
dren: Mannadnke,  b,  in  Mendon,  Aug.  18,  1781.  Maiy,  b.  May 
27,  1783;  in.  Timothy  Thompson.  Uranah,  b.  March  31,  1785;  m. 
Jesse  Thompson.  Phinehas,  b.  Jan.  20,  1787.  Amasa,  b.  Marcli  18, 
1789.  Paine,  b.  Jan.  4,  1791.  Rufus,  b.  Jan.  20,  1793  ;  d.  Aug.  27, 
1798.  Otis,  b.  July  6,  1795  ;  d.  Aug.  27,  1798.  David,  b.  Sept.  6, 
1797.  Anna,  b.  Aug.  31,  1799  ;  m.  Luke  Bennett.  Paul  Fisher,  b. 
Dec.  26,  1801.  John  Langdon,  b.  March  27,  1805.  William,  b.  Oct. 
20,  1808. 

PniNEiiAs^  Aldrich  (Amasa^),  b.  Jan.  20,  1787;  m.  Oct.  8,  1814, 
Mary  Council  (b.  in  Scituate,  R.  I..  Apr.  4,  1789  ;  d.  at  Spring  Prai- 
rie, Wis.,  Sept.  26,  1859)  ;  he  d.  Oct.  2,  1847.  Children:  Nathan- 
iel L.,  b.  March  3,  1816  ;  d.  Feb.  20,  1841.  Betsey  H.,  b.  Sept.  20, 
1817;  d.  Nov.  9,  1845.  Cyrel  R.,  b.  Apr.  6,  1819.  Maria  B.,  b. 
Feb.  20,  1822 ;  d.  Aug.  23,  1845. 

Amasa-  Aldrich  (Amnsa'^)^  b.  March  18,  1789;  m.  1812,  Candace 
(b.  March  28,1793;  d.  Nov.  12,  1876),  dau.  of  Simeon  Cook  ;  d. 
May  20,  1880.  Children:  Harrison,  b.  Oct.  31,  1812.  Amasa,  b. 
March  7,  1814.  Simeon  Cook,  b.  Feb.  24,  1816.  Emelinc,  b.  March 
14,  1818  ;  m.  Benjamin  C.  Blake.  Flavilla  C,  b.  Oct.  10,  1819  ;  m. 
Sumner  Applin.  Nancy  H.,  b.  March  7,  1822;  d.  Jan.  21,  1S41. 
Candace  C,  b.  Feb.  23,  1825;  m.  James  Marsh.  Carlon  Cook,  b. 
Oct.  2,  1829.     Calista  T.,b.  Apr.  1,  1830;  m.  J.  Mason  Reed. 

Paine-  Aldrich  (Amasa^),  b.  Jan.  4,  1791;  m.  Feb.  18,  1813, 
Sally  (b.  June  17,  1793),  dau.  of  Joseph  Hammond. 

David-  Aldrich  (Amasa^),  b.  Sept.  6,  1797;  m.  Jan.  3,  1827, 
Olive  (b.  April  16,  1804  ;  d.  March  2,  1887),  dau  of  David  noll)rook  ; 
he  d.  Sept.  3,  1841.  Children:  Phinehas  L.,  b.  Dec.  27,  1829. 
George  O.,  b.  Oct.  22,  1831;  d.  Apr.  3,  1881.  Uranah  Paine,  b. 
Apr.  6,  1834;  m.  Granville  Pratt. 

Paul  FiSHKR- Aldrich  {Amasa^),  b.  Dec.  26,  1801;  m.  Aug.  7, 
1822,  Luvana  (d.  Dec.  1,  1866),  dau.  of  Simeon  Cook;  d.  Oct.  20, 
1878.  Children  :  Clarinda  Cook,  b.  Nov.  30,  1824  ;  m.  Henry  Ab- 
bott;  d.  Nov.  9,  1881.  Paul  Fisher,  b.  Nov.  30,  1827.  John  Lang- 
don, b.  Nov.  12,  1830;  d.  Aug.  13,  1863.  George  Herman,  b.  May 
30,  1833.  Cyrel  Rounds,  b.  Nov.  19,  1835;  m.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Lu- 
vana Maria,  b.  April  14,  1838;  m.  May  1,  1862,  Charles  Green. 
Henry  Hubbard,  b.  Feb.  22,  1843. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  275 

John  Langdon- Aldrich  (Amasa^),  b.  March  27,  1805  ;  m.  March 
27,  1828,  Esther  (b.  Nov.  19,  1806  ;  d.  Sept.  15,  1888),  dan.  of  Eph- 
raira  Whitcomb;  d.  July  24,  1832.  Child:  Charlotte,  b.  Feb.  13, 
1829  ;  m.  Fernando  B.  Bennett. 

Ctrel  E.^  Aldrich  {Pliinehas,'^  Amasa^),  b.  Apr.  6,  1819;  m. 
May  18,  1850,  Julia  Ann,  dau.  of  Elijah  Carpenter.  Children  :  Ma- 
ria Elizabeth,  b.  in  Swanzey,  May  1,  1851.  Fanny  Partridge,  b.  in 
Springfield,  Mass.,  Jan.  3,  1853  ;  m.  Edgar  A.  Weeks  of  Lj'ons,  Wis. 

Carlon  Cook^  Aldrich  (Amasa,-  Amasa^),  b.  Oct.  2,  1829;  m. 
Amanda  (b.  Aug.  29,  1835),  dau.  of  Charles  Wilson. 

Paul  Fisher^  Aldrich  {Paul  Fisher ^^  AmascO-)  b.  Nov.  30,  1827; 
m.  April  30,  1847,  Hannah  (b.  Nov.  9,  1827)  daughter  of  Martin 
Stone.  Children  :  Edwin  H.,  b.  about  1853  ;  m.  Jan.  21,  1873.  Anna 
b.  about  1862.  Winnie,  b.  1867;  d.  Aug.  24,  1867.  Chester  C,  b. 
1869  ;  d.  Nov.  10,  1875. 

George  Herman^  Aldrich  (Patd Fisher,^  Amasa^)  ^h.  in  Swanzey 
May  30,  1833  ;  m.  Oct.  3,  1853,  Hannah  (b.  Jan.  20,  1832)  daughter 
of  Alvah  Thompson.  Children:  Walter  Herman,  b.  July  2,  1854. 
Herbert  Cyrel,  b.  Aug.  23,  1855.  Edwin  Thompson,  b.  Aug.  24, 
1858.  Edith  Luvania,  b.  Aug.  24,  1862.  John  Laugdon,  b.  Aug. 
23,  1864;  d.  April  2,  1865.  Eugene  Laugdon,  b.  March  30,  1866. 
Emma  Maria,  b.  Nov.  30,  1868.     Sidney  Cook,  b.  May  3,  1872. 

Henry  Hubbard^  Aldrich  (Paul  Fisher,-  Amasa^),  b.  Feb,  22, 
1843;  m.  Mary  E.  (b.  Nov.  21,  1843),  daughter  of  Sylvander  L. 
Whitcomb. 

Edwin H."*  Aldrich  (Paul Fisher,'^ Paul  Fisher,-  Amasu^),  m.  Jan. 
21 ,  1873,  Flora  H.  (b.  1851) ,  daughter  of  Philemon  Foster.  Children  : 
an  infant,  b.  Apr.  28,  1874;  d.  Aug.  10,  1874.  Gertrude  H.,  b. 
Nov.  18,  1877.     Bertha  A.,  b.  Nov.  26,  1879.     Robert  E.,  b.  Sept. 

30,  1881. 

Tristan^  Aldrich  (Jesse,^  Noah,'^  Jacob,^  Jacoh,^  George^),  b. 
Oct.  13,  1781 ;  m.,  1st,  Sept.  7,  1806,  Polly  Sampson  (b.  in  Pres- 
cott  where  she  died) ;  m.,  2nd,  Nov.  20,  1823,  Betsey  (b.  Dec.  20, 
1799  ;  d.  Jan.  12,  1876),  daughter  of  Nathan  Cross.     He  died  Dec. 

31,  1870.     Children:  Maria,  b.  Oct.  21,  1807;  m.  Moses  Howard. 
Alice  S.,  b.  March  12,  1811  ;  m.  Alfred  Britton.     Tristan,  b.  Aug. 


276  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

24,  1817;  d.  Aug.  26,  1838.  Priscilla,  b.  Feb.  2,  1825;  ni.  William 
Moore.  Adouinim  J.,  b.  Sept.  18,  1826;  d.  Feb.  13,  1827.  Adoui- 
ram  J.,  b.  Jan.  9,  1830.  Ellen  E.,  b.  March  3,  1842 ;  m.  Orleans  S. 
Eaton  Dec.  31,  1863. 

Adoniram  J.'^  Aldkicii  {Tristan,^  Jesse,^  Noah,'^  Jacoh^^  Jacob,- 
George^),  b.  Jan.  9,  1830;  m.  Maria,  daughter  of  Joshua  Wyman  of 
Keene. 

Sands^  Aloricii  {Daniel^  of  Douglas,  Mass.),  h.  Nov.  26,  1779; 
m.  Feb.  21,  1799,  Abigail  (b.  June  1,  1779  ;  d.  Jan.  27,  1863,  in  Rich- 
mond) daughter  of  Edward  Aldrich  of  Douglas.    He  died  in  Richmond 

Jan.  26,  1855.     Children  :  A ,  b.  March  13,  1800.     Elizabeth,  b. 

Apr.  18,  1802,  in  New  York  State ;  m.  Samuel  Thompson,  3rd.  Sj^l- 
vester,  b.  Sept.  18, 1805,  in  Douglas.  Sands,  b.  Apr.  26,  1808.  Mary, 
b.  March  19, 1810  ;  m.  Sept.  8, 1831,  Lewis  Daniels  of  Sutton,  Mass. ; 
d.  Dec.  17,  1834.  Philadelphia,  b.  Jan.  9,  1812;  m.  Aug.  5,  1835, 
Lewis  Daniels.  Daniel  Wesley,  b.  Nov.  27,  1813.  Sarah,  b.  Oct. 
16,  1815;  d.  Jan.  15,  1818.  Sally,  b.  May  16,  1817,  in  Burrilville ; 
d.  Oct.  15,  1836,  in  Richmond. 

Sands3  Aldrich  (Scmds,^  David^),  b.  Apr.  26,  1808;  m.  Oct.  22, 
1835,  Betsey  (b.  Apr.  19,  1815;  d.  May  18,  1887),  daughter  of  Jer- 
emiah Amidon  of  Richmond;  d.  Feb.  16,  1872.  Child:  Betsey  R., 
b.  Dec.  17, 1837;  m.  Merrick  Worcester. 

David  S.^  Aldrich  (Sands,^  Sands,^  David^),  b.  Aug.  3,  1839  ;  m. 
Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Shepley  W.  Knights. 

Ellert K.3  Aldrich  { Na hum. ^ Nathan,^  of  Bichmond),h.  Sei^t.  18, 
1811  ;  m.,  1st,  Dec.  15,  1834,  Candace  (b.  Oct.  10, 1811 ;  d.  March  8, 
1873),  daughter  of  Elias  Taylor  of  Richmond;  m.,  2nd,  Aug.,  1873, 
Mrs.  Walter  Price  (b.  July  6,  1832;  d.  July  6,  1877)  of  Boston;  ni. 
3rd,  June  1 ,  1880,  Mrs.  Sarah  Loring  of  Hinsdale  (b.  Nov.  18,  1818  ; 
d.  Aug.  6,  1888).  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  Starkey  of  Richmond 
and  tirst  married  Simeon  Sabin  of  Winchester.  He  d.  Oct.  16,  1888. 
Children :  Harriet  S.,  b.  June  20,  1836.  Susan  A.,  b.  May  26,  1838  ; 
m.  Sumner  Black.  Lydia  E.,  b.  Oct.  16,  1841  ;  m.  Augustus  Thomas. 
Frank  S..  b.  June  19,  1842. 

Lot- Aldrich  (Jo/<n^  ofNort7ibridge),h.  Oct.  30, 1754  ;  m.,  1st,  April, 
18, 1779,  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Robertson ;  m.,2nd,  Nov.  24, 1800, 
Bethiah  Nigh  of  this  town.     By  Sarah  had  Olive,  b.  Dec.  20,  1779. 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  277 

Ezra,  b.  Oct.  13,  1781.    Huldah,  b.  Nov.  28,  1783  ;  m.  Cyrus  Crouch. 
Children:  Mary,  Lucy,  Elijah,  Lydia,  Bathsheba,  Sarah  and  John. 

Abner- Aldrich  {David}  of  3Iendon,  3fass.),  h.  Nov.  17,  1727; 
m.  1st,  Nov.  2,  1747,  Elizabeth  (b.  1729  ;  d.May7, 1804),  daughter  of 
Deacon  Nicholas  Cook  of  Bellingham,  Mass. ;  m.,  2nd,  Dec.  16,  1805, 
Anna  Brown.  He  d.  Oct.  31, 1815.  Children :  Abner,  Hannah,  Sim- 
eon, Phila,  Nicholas,  Susanna,  Ananias. 

Ananias^  Aldrich  {Abner,^  DavkV),  m.  June  27,  1774,  Mary  (b. 
Oct.  22,  1756),  daughter  of  Abraham  Randall;  d.  1826.  Children: 
Abraham,  b.  Jan.  23,  1775.  Isaac,  b.  Apr.  9,  1777.  Silence,  b.  June 
30,  1779  ;  m.  Robert  Read.  Nathaniel,  b.  June  2,  1781.  Waity,  b.  June 
3, 1783.  Rufus,  b.  Sept.  28,  1785.  Phila,  b.  Aug.  27, 1787  ;  m.  Aaron 
Tenney;  m.,  2nd,  John  Wheeler.  Elizabeth,  b.  Aug.  12,  1789;  m. 
Marshall.  Judith,  b.  Oct.  20,  1791;  m.  Joseph  Buffum.  Su- 
sanna, m.  Calvin  Bryant. 

Noah2  Aldrich  {Levi^  of  Richmond),  b.  Dec.  9,  1788;  m.  May 
15,  1811,  Waitstill  (b.  Jan.  17,  1787)  daughter  of  Joseph  Starkey  of 
Richmond.  Children  :  Angela,  m.  Augustus  Cass  of  Richmond.  My- 
randa,  Joseph,  Benjamin,  Waitstill,  Jillson. 

Anderson^  Aldrich  {Benjamin^  of  Richmond)^  b.  Oct.  11,  1834; 
m.  Nov.  6,  1855,  Almira  (b.  July  10,  1835),  daughter  o*f  Henry  Ballon 
of  Richmond.  Children:  Estella,  b.  Sept.  14,  1859;  m.  Frank 
Hardy  of  Marlborough.  Mina  J.,  b.  Nov.  8,  1860;  m.  Herbert  D. 
Aldrich  of  Keene.  George  B.,  b.  Nov.  25,  1862.  Henry  A.,  b. 
March  24,  1865.  Seth  L.,  b.  Apr.  7,  1870.  Eva  M.,  b.  May  27, 
1873. 

George  B.^  Aldrich  {Anderson,^''Benjamin^) ,  b.  Nov.  25,  1862; 
m.  Nov.  25,  1884,  Eimna  J.,  daughter  of  Charles  Safford,  Athol, 
Mass.  (b.  1867  ;  d.  July  26,  1890).     Child  :  Mabel,  b.  Nov.,  1885. 

Amasa2  Aldrich  (JSfahitm^  ofRiclirtiond),\).  1799  ;  m.,  1st,  Aug.  25, 
1816,  Susanna,  daughter  of  Samuel  Thompson  ;  m.,  2nd,  Apr.  24,  1825, 
Anna,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Tolman,  Troy.  Children  :  Angeline,  b. 
Feb.  26,  1827;  d.  Apr.  11,  1851.     Andrew  J.,  b.  Nov.  13,  1829. 

ANDERSON. 

Nehemiah  Anderson,  m.  Jan.  7,  1814,  Betsey  Lawrence. 


278  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 


ANGIER. 

Philip  D.^  AifGiETi(Abel^  of  FitzimlUam) ,\) .  March  25, 181 1  ;  in.,  1st, 
Sept.  28,  1834,  Nancy  D.  Sargent;  m.,  2ncl,  Jan.  1,  1844,  Mary  (b. 
Oct.  18,  1820;  d.  July  8,  1856)  daughter  of  Samuel  Haydon,  Fitz- 
william;  m. ,3rd,  July  2,  1858,  Arabella  S.  Read  of  Newfane,  Vt. 
He  d.  Oct.  1,  1890.  Children:  Rosannah  L.,  b.  March  4,  1837  ;  m. 
Francis  Bowker  of  Fitzwilliam.  Abbie  F.,  b.  Dec.  8, 1840 ;  m.  Dan- 
iel Read  of  Fitzwilliam.  Mary  E.,  b.  July  31,  1848  ;  m.  George  White, 
Fitzwilliam.  Fanny  B.,  b.  Oct.  9,  1860;  m.  Willard  B.  Bevcrstock 
of  Shrewsbury,  Vt. ;  m.  2nd,  Oliver  W.  Caprou ;  d.  Oct.  20,  1890. 
Walter  E.,  b.  May  18,  1863.     Philip  C,  b.  Oct.  17,  1867. 

APPLIN. 

John  Applin^  settled  in  Palmer,  Mass. ;  m.  Rebecca,  had  a  son 
Thomas  who  came  to  Swanzey  about  1763. 

Thomas^  Applin  {John,^  of  Palmer,  Mass.),  m.  Mabel  Brown  (b. 
1733  ;  d.  March  2,  1799)  ;  d.  June  24,  1804.  Children  :  John,  b. 
Nov.  27,  1753.  Anna,  b.  Oct.  21,  1755  ;  m.Eli  Kimball.  Sarah,  b. 
Sept.  10,  1757;  m.  Ebenezer  Thompson.  Thomas,  b.  Oct.  10,  1759. 
Timothy  Brown,  b.  Nov.  13, 1760.  Thomas,  b.  Aug.  1 1 ,  1763.  Thank- 
ful, b.  Jan.  19,1767;  m.  Asa  Freeman.  Isaac,  b.  Aug.  10,  1769. 
Mabel,  b.  Feb:  24,  1772;  d.  Jan.  21,  1776.  Pannelia,  b.  Aug.  30, 
1774. 

John3  Applin  ( rZiom as ,2  John'^),  b.  Nov.  27,  1753;  m.  Fob.  8, 
1776,  Mary  (b.  1754;  d.  Feb.  29,  1812),  daughter  of  Tliomas  Sabin, 
Uxbridge,  Mass.  Children  :  Thomas,  b.  Jan.  7,  1779.  John,  b.  July 
1,  1781.  Ephraim,  b.  Oct.  10,  1783.  Israel,  b.  July  31,  178T.  Mary, 
b.  June  10,  1790.     Lucy,  b.  1798  ;  d.  July  9,  1814. 

Timothy  Brown^  Appmn  {Thomas,^  John^),  b.  Nov.  13,  1760,  in 
Palmer,  Mass. ;  m.  Jan.  9,  1783,  Anna  Wyman.  Children:  Anna, 
b.  July  13,  1783.  Benjamin  Redman,  b.  Dec.  12,  1784;  d.  Oct.  6, 
1785.  Benjamin  Redman,  b.  Aug.  7,  1786.  Rebecca,  b.  Apr.  14, 
1791.  Sabrina,  b.  Nov.  3,  1793.  Philinda,  b.  July  17,  1796.  Abi- 
jah,  b.  Aug.  29,  1799. 

Thomas^  Applin  (Thomas,-  John'^),  b,  Aug.  11,  1763  ;  m.  1st,  May 
24,  1792,  Sabrina  (d.  Aug.  29,  1792),  daughter  of  Timothy  Road  ;  m. 
2nd,  Nov.  24,  1794,  Poll}',  daughter  of  Samuel  Page.     Children: 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  279 

Sabrina,  b.  Dec.  16,  1795;  m.  Ezekiel  Thompson,  Samuel  Page,  b. 
Feb.  5,  1797.  Benjamin,  b.  Jan.  29,  1798.  Perrin,  b.  May  17,  1802. 
Philo  and  Fanny,  b.  Oct.  9,  1804  ;  Fanny  d.  March  3, 1852.  Wesson, 
b.  1806.     Polly,  b.  1808  ;  d.  Jan.  14,  1850. 

IsAAC^  Applin  (Thomas,^  JoJin^),  b.  Aug.  10,  1769;  m.  Feb.  14, 
1793,  Hephzibeth  Dunton. 

John'*  Applin  {John,^  Thomas,'^  JoJin^),  b.  July  1,  1781 ;  m.  Sept., 
1806,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Daniel  Bryant,  of  Richmond. 

Israel'*  Applin  {John,^  Thomas,-  John^),  b.  July  31,  1787;  m. 
Jan.  24,  1816,  Lucy  (b.  June  26,  1795;  d.  March  21,  1841),  daugh- 
ter of  Nathan  Fessendon  ;  d.  Nov.  1,  1861.  Children:  Sumner,  b. 
Jan.  2,  1816.  Celinda,  b.  Aug.  24,  1817;  d.  Aug.  1,  1818.  Benja- 
min F.,  b.  May  24,  1819.  Henry  Sabin,  b.  Oct.  27,  1821  ;  d.  Aug. 
1,  1864.  Lucy  Ann,  b.  Dec.  9,  1823;  ra.  Orlando  Page.  Sarah 
Celinda,  b.  Jan.  12,  1827;  m.  Alanson  W.  Banks.  John,  b.  June  27, 
1829.     Mary  Sabin,  b.  Aug.  27, 1831.    Nancy  Maria,  b.  Jan.  16,  1834. 

Benjamin  Redman^  Applin  {Timothy  B.,^  Thomas,^  John^),  b. 
Aug.  7,  1786  ;  m.  Oct.  24,  1805,  Susanna  (b.  Dec.  11,  1777),  daugh- 
ter of  Philemon  Whitcomb. 

Philo'' Applin (r/iomas,3  Thomas,-  John^),  b.  Oct.  9,  1804  ;  m.,  1st, 
July  3,  1831,  Elizabeth  Knox  (b.  July  4,  1813;  d.  Apr.  1,  1856)  of 
Portland,  Me  ;  m.,  2nd,  Sept.  5,  1870,  Mrs.  Sophia  Gage  of  Fitchburg, 
Mass.  Children:  Julia  Murry,  b.  Sept.  10,  1832;  m.  Robert  Brooks 
of  Fitzwilliam.  George  Page,  b.  Feb.  22,  1834;  d.  Jan.  21,  1846. 
Sarah  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  30,  1835  ;  d.  Jan.  6,  1857.  Ellen  Cordelia, 
b.  July  19,  1837;  m.  Ciiarles  Alexander  of  Troy,  March  27,  1856. 
Charles  Randolph,  b.  Apr.  17,  1839.  Mary  Frances,  b.  March  28, 
1841  ;  m.  Richard  Ramsdell.  Nan,cy  Louisa,  b.  Apr.  13,  1843  ;  m. 
Henry  Ward.  William  Henry,  b.  Aug.  14,  1844  ;  d.  Jan.  29,  1846. 
Susan  Amelia,  b.  Oct.  13,  1845;  d.  Jan.  12,  1846.  Susan  Amelia, 
b.  Feb.  7,  1847  ;  d.  May  7,  1875.  George  Henry,  b.  Apr.  30,  1848  ; 
d.  Sept.  24,  1849.  William  Waldo,  b.  May  27,  1850.  George  Knox, 
b.  July  23,  1851  ;  d.  Oct.  5,  1851.  Edgar  Mathews,  b.  Aug.  6,  1852. 
Herbert  Leroy,  b.  Dec.  10,  1853.    Oscar  Philo,  b.  March  10,  1855. 

Wesson^  Applin  (Thomas,^  Thomas,'^  John^),  b.  Nov.  16,  1806; 
m.  Dec,  1834,  Susan  Sherwin  (b.  Dec.  6,  1809),  of  Townsend,  Mass. 
m.,  2nd,  Jan.  19,  1869,  widow  of  Henry  S.  Applin  (she  d.  July  21, 
1890). 


280  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

Sumner^  Applin  (Israel,'^  JoJm,'^  Thomas,'^  JoJm^) ,  h.  Jan.  2,  181G  ; 
ra.  Flavilla  C.  (b.  Oct.  10,  1819),  daughter  of  Amasa  AUliicli. 

Benjamin  F.^  Applin  {Israel,'^  John,^  Thomas,-  Job n^) ,  l).Ma3'24, 
1819  ;  in.  Nov.  26,  1862,  Harriet  H.  (b.  March  29,  1830  ;  d.  July  21, 
1890),  daughter  of  Joel  Osgood,  of  New  Salem,  Mass.  Child: 
Arthur  Fessendon,  b.  July  16,  1867. 

Henry  Sabin^   Applin  (Israel,'^  John,^  Thomas,-  John^),  b.  Oct. 

27,  1821  ;  m.  Feb.  15,  1847,  Louisa  A.,  daughter  of  Al)rahaia  Corey, 
of  Marlborough  ;  d.  Aug.  1,  1864.  Children:  Charles  Henry,  b. 
July  18,  1849.     Eugene  E.,  b.  July  8,  1851. 

JoHN^  Applin  {Israel,'*  John,^  Thomas,^  John^),h.  June  27,  1829  ; 
m.  Jan.  1,  1855,  Mary  Ann  (b.  July  5,  1833;  d.  Nov.  11,  1869), 
dan.  of  Carlton  Parker;  m.,  2nd,  Sept.  28,  1870,  Martha  A.  Wash- 
burn of  Kingstown,  Mass.  Children:  A  child  born  in  Jul}',  1856; 
d.  Oct.  10,  1856.     George  C,  b.  Nov.  2,  1861.     Anna  E.,  b.  July 

28,  1863.     Henry  Herbert,  b.  July  5,  1867. 

Charles  R.^  Applin  {Philo,'*  Thomas,^  Thomas,^  John^) ,  b.  April 
17,  1839;  m.  Aug.  29,  1857,  Selina  A.  (b.  Aug.  31,  1839;  d.  May 
4,  1886),  daughter  of  Ansel  Bourn;  m.,  2nd.,  Aug.,  1889,  Abbie  E., 
daughter  of  Luke  Clark  of  Troy.  Children  :  Lizzie  A.,  b.  March  14, 
1859  ;  d.  1863.  Charles  Wesson,  b.  June  23,  1867.  Frank  Ernest, 
b.  Nov.  13,  1871.  Susan  Louisa,  b.  Sept.  15,  1875. 

William  Waldo^  Applin  (P/uYo,''  Thomas,^  Thomas,^  John^),  b. 
May  27,  1850;  m.  Jan.  20,  1876,  Alary  Abby  (b.  July  24,  1851), 
daughter  of  Samuel  E.  Tuttle,  Antrim.  Children  :  A  daughter  b.  and 
d.  July  15,  1878.  Herbert  Seldon,  b.  July  1 ,  1883  ;  d.  May  20,  1884. 
Fanny  L.,  b.  July  8,  1885. 

Charles  Henri ^  Applin  (Henry  Sabin,^  Israel,'*  John,^  Thomas,^ 
John^),  b.  July  18,  1849  ;  m.  Lucy  Ann  (b.  July  28,  1853),  daugh. 
ter  of  David  Woodward.  Children  :  Charles  Leon,  b.  Nov.  14,  1877. 
Leila  May,  b.  Dec.  18,  1881. 

Eugene  Elwin^  Applin  {Henry  Sabin,^  Israel,"*  John,^  Thomas,^ 
John^),  b.  July  8,  1851  ;  m.  Dec.  17,  1872,  Fanny  Martha  (b.  June 
19,  1855) ,  daughter  of  IMoses  D.  Ballon.  Children  :  Plorence  Eunice, 
b.  Apr.  19,  1874.  Elwin  Henry,  b.  Aug.  25,  1877.  Harry  Eugene, 
b.  March  10,  1880.     Frank  Dexter,  b.  June  27,  1885. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  281 


AUSTIN. 

Benoni  Austin,  m.  Nov,  28,  1805,  Abigail  Lane.  Children: 
Allen,  b.  June  13,  1813.  Hannah,  b.  April  17,  1815.  Mary  D.,  b. 
Sept.  29,  1817.     Sylvester,  b.  July  8,  1822. 

ATKINSON. 

Frank  P.  Atkinson,  b.  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  m.  Ida  C.  Witherell 
of  Warwick,  Mass. ;  have  one  daughter,  Mary  E.  Atkinson. 

AVERYr 

Edward  D.  Avery,  b.  Nov.  17, 1833,  in  Granville,  N.  Y.  ;  m.  April 
3,  1866,  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  Julia  A.  Stullings  of  Madison,  Illinois 
(b.  March  28,  1849;  d.  April  13,  1879,  in  Keene).  Children:  Ed- 
ward D.,  b.  Nov.  20,  1869.  Julia  M.,  b.  Dec.  13,  1871.  Elizabeth 
R.,  b.  March  8,  1873.  Charles  E.,  b.  Dec.  24,  1874.  Mary  I.,  b. 
Jan.  12,  1877.  William  H.,  b.  April  6,  1879.  He  m.,  2nd,  Aug.  22, 
1879,  Maggie  G.  Lahiff  of  Keene.  Children:  Robert  J.,  b.  Jan.  9, 
1881.  Loyal  L.,  b.  Sept.  13,  1883.  George  W.,  b.  Oct.  29,  1884. 
Hattie  E.,  b.  March  16,  1886.     Annie  M.,  b.  March  15,  1889. 

babbit. 

Jonathan  Babbit  taxed  in  1818.  Children  :  Alvin,  Roswell,  m. 
Anna  (b.  about  1815),  daughter  of  Timoth}^  Thompson  and  lives  in 
Iowa ;  Olive,  Jonathan,  Susan,  Judith,  Polly,  Hannah,  Betsey,  Mar- 
cena,  m.  Angeliue  (b.  March  16,  1818),  daughter  of  Jesse  Thomp- 
son. 

BAILEY. 

Amos  Bailey  and  his  wife  Zilpah  were  b.  in  1756.  Children: 
Hannah,  m.  Arad  Hall.  Rebecca,  b.  Apr.  4,  1784  ;  m.  Henry  Saw- 
yer. Polly,  m.  Feb.  14,  1808,  Ichabod  Morse  of  Newport.  Amos,  b. 
Sept.  11,  1786.  Jonathan,  b.  Nov.  27,  1788.  Clarissa,  b.  Nov.  28, 
1792  ;  m.  William  Goddard  Eames.  Cynthia,  b.  Aug.  19,  1796  ;  m. 
Henry  Sawyer. 

Amos^  Bailey  (Amos^),  b.  Sept.  11,  1786;  m.  Sept.  16,  1810, 
Salome  (b.  Apr.  25,  1786;  d.  Dec.  15,  1845),  daughter  of  Jona- 
than Whitcomb ;  d.  July  7,  1864.  Child:  Albert  W.,  b.  Feb.  12, 
1815. 


282  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

Jonathan^  Bailey  (Amos^),  b.  Nov.  27,  1788;  m,  March  26, 
1812,  Sarah  (b.  July  17,  1785;  d.  Jan.  7,  1853),  daughter  of  Thn- 
othy  Clark  ;  d.  Feb.  21,  1857.  Children  :  Perliua,  b.  April  14,  1814  ; 
m.  Dewitt  C.  Devine  of  Girard,  Penn. ;  d.  in  Wiscousiu.  Arvilla,  b. 
March  30.  1816;  in.  Joshua  Palmer.  Clark,  b.  Sept.  25,  1818.  Sarah 
b.  Jan.  13,  1822  ;  m.  Levi  Crouch  ;  d.  Oct.  5,  1878.  Lovisa  M.,  b. 
Dec.  23,  1825;  m.  Simeou  B.  Nelson  of  Menasha,  Wis.  Rebecca,  b. 
May  19,  1827  ;  m.  May,  1851,  Samuel  Winchester  ;  removed  to  Grand 
Rapids,  Mich.  Jonathan,  b.  Dec.  23,  1830 ;  d.  Feb.  23, 1857.  Phila, 
b.  Jan.  14,  1835;  d.  June  14,  1857. 

Albeut  W. 3  Bailey  (J.?>ios,2  J.mosi),  b.  Feb.  12,1815;  m.  Oct. 
27,  1840,  Abigail  L.  Pillsbury  (b.  July  3,  1819),  of  Winchendon, 
Mass.;  d.  Jan.  4,  1867.  Children:  Salome,  b.  Oct.  16,  1841 ;  d. 
Sept.  27,  1845.  Emily  Rockwood,  b.  Jan.  5,  1845  ;  d.  Aug  18,  1890. 
Francis,  b.  May  31,  1849  ;  d.  June  4,  1849.  Martha  Jane,  b.  Sept. 
19,  1851. 

Clark^  Bailey  (Jonathan-  Amos^)^  b.  Sept.  25,  1818;  m.  April 
6,  1851,  Caroline  C.  (b.  Aug.  28,  182^;  d.  March  31, 1862).  daugh- 
ter of  Kendall  Walker  Davis  of  Chesterfield ;  m.,  2nd,  June  12,  1863, 
Harriet  A.  (b.  May  6,  1834),  daughter  of  Kendall  Walker  Davis  of 
Chesterfield.  Children  by  Caroline :  George  C,  b.  July  28,  1852  ;  d. 
Dec.  23,  1862.  Charles  Hardy,  b.  Sept.  20, 1856.  John  F.,  b.  Sept. 
12,  1859  ;  d.  Dec.  26,  1862.  Child  by  Harriet  A.  :  Edward  A.,  b. 
Nov.  26,  1864. 

BALCH. 

William  Balch  and  wife  Mehitable,  came  from  Dublin  prior  to 
1817  and  settled  on  the  farm,  later  called  the  "Coburn  Farm,"  about 
half  a  mile  N.  E.  from  the  home  of  Luman  B.  Crouch,  ^Yith  their 
family,  among  whom  were:  Mehitable,  m.  Dec.  25,  1817,  Orriu 
Brown ;  William,  Ephraim,  Aaron  and  Charles. 

ball. 

"The  Balls  in  this  country  all  descended  from  Edward  Ball,'  Avho 
came  from  Wales  and  settled  iu  Branford,  near  New  Haven,  Conn. ; 
his  large  family  spread  throughout  New  England  and  elsewhere,  some 
going  to  New  Jersey ;  one  son^,  to  Virginia,  who  was  father  of  Mary 
Ball,  the  mother  of  George  Washington.  During  the  Revolutionary 
war  the  Balls  scattered  over  the  country."  The  Massachusetts  branch 
of  the  family  are  from  Edward  Ball,'  but  some  links  are  wanting, 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  283 

probably  two.  Daniel  Ball,  of  Brookfield,  Mass.  (may  have  been 
grandson  of  Edward^)  and  Patience,  his  wife,  had:  Benjamin,^  b 
1752,  in  Brookfield;  d.  Feb.  19,  1782.  Silas^  Ball,  b.  1775,  in  Lev 
erett,  Mass.;  d.  April  5,  1844.  Silas^  Ball,  jr.,  b.  1804,  in  Town 
shend,  Vt. ;  d.  Aug.  20,  1887,  in  Leverett.  Charles  L.''  Ball,  b.  May 
16,  1831,  in  Leverett;  m.  April  3,  1860,  Mary  L.  (b.  March  20,1835) 
daughter  of  Seth  Wood  of  Leverett.  Children:  Anna  M.,  b.  July 8 
1861;  m.  Walter  F.  Oakman.  Charles  H.,  b.  Aug.  13,  1863;  d 
March  11,  1880.     Flora  M.,  b.  May  1,  1868 ;   m.  J.  Byron  Porter. 

JosiAH  Ball  m.  March  31,  1834,  Amanda  Worden. 

BALDWIN. 

Nahum  Baldwin  m.  June  3,  1812,  Philiuda  Harvey  of  Marl- 
borough. 

BALLOU. 

SiLAS^  Ballou  (Jesse^  of  Richmond),  b.  Dec.  10,  1787;  m.,  1st, 
Feb.  8,  1810,  Anna  (b.  May  23,  1790 ;  d.  Feb.  3,  1853) ,  daughter  of 
Ebenezer  Saunders  of  Fitzwilliam;  m.,  2nd,  July  6,  1854,  Mrs.  Ches- 
ter Coombs  (d.  Aug.  28,  1883).  He  d.  Sept.  16,  1872.  Children: 
Leonard,  b.  Feb.  1,  1811 ;  d.  in  Richmond.  Laura  Ann,  b.  Aug.  23, 
1812  ;  m.  Ansel  Bourn;  d.  1872.  WUlard,  b.  Oct.  25,  1815.  Elisha, 
b.  May  28, 1817;  d.  Apr.  3,  1820.  Amasa,  b.  Jan.  1,  1819.  Alsaida, 
b.  July  28,  1820;  m.  Henry  Ballou,  jr.,  of  Richmond.  Emily,  b. 
March  12,  1822;  m.  Ozial  Ballou;  d.  Nov.  20,  1852.  Lorinda,  b. 
Dec.  9,  1823  ;  m.  Ozial  Ballou.  Silas  Warren,  b.  Nov.  5, 1825.  Asa 
L.,  b.  Feb.  4,  1829.     William  C,  b.  Apr.  9, 1832  ;  d.  Sept.  20, 1833. 

Willard3  Ballou  (Silas,^  Jesse^),  b.  Oct.  25,  1815  ;  m.  March  31, 

1840,  Abigail  (b.  Feb.  11,  1819),  daughter  of  Jesse  Forrestall  of 
Fitzwilliam;  came  from  Richmond  in  1857.  Children:  Willard  Liv- 
ing, b.  July  1,  1841.  Joseph  W.,  b.  Dec.  19,  1843.  Frank  E.,  b. 
Jan.    25,  1845.     Lunette  M.,  b.  May  17,  1852  ;  m.  G.  D.  Stone. 

Amasa^  Ballou  {Silas,'^  Jesse^),  b.  Jan.  1,  1819  ;   m.,  1st,  July  4, 

1841,  Lavina  (b.  Jan.  14,  1823;  d.  Dec.  13,  1844),  daughter  of 
Henry  Ballou ;  m.,  2nd,  widow  Brooks  (b.  Jan.  25  ,1812 ;  d.  Oct.  25, 
1849),  daughter  of  Jesse  Forrestall,  Fitzwilliam;  m.,  3d,  Jan.  15, 
1850,  widow  of  Charles  Marsh  (b.  June  8,  1827  ;  d.  Oct.  28,  1888), 
daughter  of  Josiah  Hammond.  Children:  Albert  A.,  b.  March  17, 
1843.    Henrietta,  b.  June  19,  1846 ;  d.  Sept.  4,  1849.     Eden  Sawyer, 


284  HISTORY    OF    SAVANZEY. 

b.  Nov.  17,  1848  ;  d.  Aug.  30,  1849.  Eleanor  ,T.,  b.  about  1850  ;  m. 
Samuel  Bishop.  Isabel  Hammond,  b.  March  5,  1853  ;  d.  April  28, 
1855.     Isabel  Nancy,  b.  Aug.  15,  1857  ;  m.  Jolni  M.  Prentice. 

Silas  W.3  Ballou  {Silas,'^  Jesse^),  b.  Nov.  5,  1825;  m.  Feb.  12, 
1851,  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Nathan  Leonard  of  Providence,  R.  I« 
Children  :  Delancy  L.,  b.  Nov.  11,  1851  ;  d.  Jan.  21,  18G1.  Elada 
G.,  b.  March  27,  18C5 ;  d.  Aug.  3,  1865. 

Asa  L.3  Ballou  {Silas,'^  Jesse^). 

WiLLARD  I.'i  Ballou  {Willard,^  Silas,^  Jesse^),  b.  July  1,  1841; 
m.  Nov.  26,  1864,  Eda  E.  (b.  Dec.  14,  1851),  daughter  of  C.  C. 
Fuller,  Gardner,  Mass.  Children:  Viola  E.,  b.  Feb.  27,  1«66;  d. 
Oct.  19,  1873.  Josephine  A.,  b.  Dec.  31,  1867;  d.  Sept.  29,  1873. 
Demeritt  I.,  b.  May  19,  1869;  d.  Oct.  19,  1873.  Mary  U.  B.,  b. 
Apr.  26,  1871.    Bernis  F.,  b.  Dec.  29,  1874. 

Joseph  W.^  Ballou  {Wmarcl,^  Silas,^  Jesse^),  b.  Dec.  19,  1843; 
m.,  Feb.  26,  1865,  Flavilla  M.  (b.  Sept.  10,  1846),  daughter  of  Ear- 
ns Taft.     Children:  Willie  F.,  b.  Nov.  12,  1866.    Nora  A.,  b.  Sept. 

28,  1868.  Frank  J.,  b.  Feb.  25,  1871.  L.  Plarl,  b.  Sept.  22,  1874. 
Lucy  F.,  b.  Sept.  26,  1875. 

Frank  E.''  Ballou  (  Willard,^  Silas,^  Jesse'^),  b.  Jan.  25,  1845  ;  m. 
June  25,  1873,  Julia  J.,  daughter  of  Eri  B.  Jerome.  Children  :  FJlie 
J.,  b.  Aug.  12,  1873 ;  d.  Aug.  28, 1874.  George  L.,  b.  Sept.  8, 1874. 
James  M.,  b.  Jan.  22,  1877.  Edgar  F.,  b.  Sept.  30,  1878.  Charles 
J.,  b.  June  29,  1880.  Aunis  M.,  b.  July  14,  1882.  Ora  S.,  b.  May 
1,  1884. 

Russell-  Ballou  (James^  of  Richmond),  b.  July  11, 1763  ;  m.,  1st, 
Feb.  23,  1783,  Henrietta  Aldrich  (d.  June  8,  1827)  ;  m.,  2nd,  April 
16,  1829,  Mrs.  Bebe  Mellen  (d.  1854).  He  d.  Nov.  10,  1847.  Chil- 
dren by  Henrietta:  Betsey,  b.  Oct.  6,  1783;  m.  Royal  Blanding. 
Amy,  b.  Oct.  27,  1785.  Nicene,  b.  March  6,  1788;  m.  Abel  Bliss. 
Asquire,  b.  May  8,  1792.  Russell,  b.  1794.  Luther,  b.  Sept.  7, 
1797.      Priscilla,  b.  Jan.  25,  1800;  d.  May  8,  1814.     Olive,  b.  Aug. 

29,  1803  ;  m.  Jacob  Boyce  of  Richmond. 

Alonzo''  Ballou  {Asquire,^  Russell,-  James^  of  Richmond) ,  b. 
Feb.  17,  1817;  m.  Oct.  18,  1838,  Sarah  (b.  Dec.  21,  1821),  daughter 
of  Joel  Mellen.     He  d.  July  1,  1877.     Children:  Albert,  b.  Aug.  7, 


GENEALOGICAL  RECORDS.  285 

1843;  d.  Oct.  15,  1843.  Jotham,  b.  Nov.  11,  1844.  Amy  D.,  b. 
June  22,  1846  ;  cl.  Sept.  3,  1846.  Charles  R.,b.  Sept.  11,  1848.  Ella 
Jane,  b.  Nov.  12,  1851 ;  d.  March  19,  1857.  Joel  Gilbert,  b.  Dec. 
24,  1852;  d.  May  11,  1867.  Augusta,  d.  young.  George  Oscar,  b. 
Nov.  1,  1858.      Wallace  A.,  b.  Nov.  27,  1860 ;  d.  May  12,  1867. 

JoTHAM^  Ballou  (Alouzo,^  Asquive,^  Eussell,~  Jttmes^),  b.  Nov.  11, 
1844;  m.  Ann  Asenath  (b.  Oct.  22,  1845;  d.  April  20,  1867),  daugh- 
ter of  Asa  Healy. 

Charles  R.^  Ballou  (Alonzo,"^  Asquire,^  Russell,'^  Jaines^),  b. 
Sept.  11,  1848;  m.  Feb.  22,  1875,  Henrietta  A.  (b.  June  3,  1854), 
daughter  of  J.  R.  Brown.  Chihiren  :  Ehnore  R.,  b.  Nov.  22,  1875. 
Harry  L.,  b.  July  19,  1877.  Don  A.,  b.  Dec.  8,  1878.  Clyde,  b. 
Jan.  17,  1881  ;  d.  March  22,  1881.     Charles  E.,  b.  Jan.  17,  1884. 

Jamks  Monroe^  Ballou  {Javies,'^  Seth,^  Set/i,'^  James^  of  Rich- 
mond), b.  Sept.  24,  1841  ;  m.,  1st,  Sarah  Jane  (b.  Nov.  29,  1845  ;  d. 
April  26, 1873),danghterofW.Jillson  of  Richmond  ;  m.,2nd,  Nov.  16, 
1875,  Hattie  L.  Ripley  (b.  May  26,  1857).  Children  :  Aimer  Jane, 
b.  March  14,  1868  ;  ra.  Frank  O.  Dodge.     Mary  E.,  d.     Lizzie  O.,  d. 

David^  Ballou  {David,^  Maturhi^  of  Richmond),  b.  Oct.,  1798; 
m.  June  22,  1859,  Mrs.  Joanna  Holbrook  ;  d.  Jane  1,  1872. 

Lorenzo^  Ballou  {Aaron,^  Jesse^  of  Richmond),  b.  Dec.  7,  1820; 
d.  July  11,  1890;  m.  Feb.  25,  1847,  Italy  Ballou  of  Richmond  (b. 
March  30,  1830.  Children  :  Silvia  D.,  b.  July  27,  1848  ;  d.  May  16, 
1849.  Truman  L.,  b.  May  28,  1850.  An  infant,  b.  Jan.,  1854;  d. 
Oct.  20,  1854.  Ella  M.,  b.  Sept.  8,  1858  ;  d.  June  14,  1861.  Emma 
L.,  b.  Oct.  6,  1860  ;  m.  Nelson  A.  Collier.    Milo  L.,  b.  March  9,  1868. 

William  W.^  Ballou  (Aaron,-  Jesse^  of  Richmond),  b.  June  15, 
1833  ;  m.  Mary  A.  Williams  of  Solon,  Maine. 

Truman  L.'^  Ballou  (Lorenzo,^  Aaron,^  Jesse^  of  Richmond) ,  b. 
Blay  28,  1850  ;  m.  March  23,  1881,  Dora  M.  Heath  of  Jaffrey. 

MosE&i  Ballou  of  Sinithfield,  R.  I.,  b.  June  2,  1781 ;  m.  Dec. 
28,  1818,  Martha  Randall  (b.  Feb.  29,  1792;  d.  Sept.  23,  1873,  in 
Swanzey),  of  North  Providence,  R.  I.;  d.  Oct.  3,  1838,  in  Troy. 
Children  :  John  R.,  b.  Aug.  25,  1819  ;  d.  Sept.  24,  1819.  Deziah  C., 
b.  March  20,  1821,  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.  ;  m.  Benjamin  Read.  Moses 
D.,  b.  Dec.  2,  1822.  Albert  R.,  b.  in  Troy,  Dec.  26,  1824. 
20 


286  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Moses  D.2  Ballou  (3foses^  of  Troy),  h.  Dec.  2,  1822  ;  m.  Jan.  18, 
1850,  Eunice  F.  (b.  March  11,  1829),  daugliter  of  Elijah  Lane;  d. 
Nov.  27,  18G7.  Child  :  Fanny  Martha,  b.  June  19,  1855  ;  m.  Eugene 
E.  Applin. 

Albkrt  R.2  Ballod  (J/osesi  of  Troy),  b.  Dec.  26,  1824  ;  d.  Nov. 
20,  1805;  m.  Dec.  26,  1849,  Mary  M.  (b.  March  31,  1829),  daughter 
of  Benjamin  Mason.  Children  :  Frank  Albert,  b.  March  4,  1850  ;  d. 
Feb.  11,  1890.  Emma  M.,  b.  Nov.  23,  1855;  d.  March  28,  1856. 
Elwln  M.,  b.  July  24,  1857  ;  d.  Apr.  28,  1859.  Ella  M.,  b.  Feb.  22, 
1859  ;  d.  Nov.  3,  1865.  Mary  Deziah,  b.  June  22,  1862  ;  m.  Charles 
Eveleth. 

John  F.s  Ballou  {Ozial,'^  Ebenezer,^  Ozial,^  James^),  b,  July  28, 
1853  ;  m.,  1st,  March  2,  1874,  Jennie,  daughter  of  Luke  EUor;  m., 
2nd,  M.  P2tta,  daughter  of  Clark  B.  Ilolbrook  of  Springfield,  Mass. 
Child:  ,  b.  April  11,  1887. 

BANKS. 

James^  Banks,  b.  Dec.  19,  1751  ;   m. Marthen   (b.  Oct.   17, 

1752  ;  d.  Nov.  19,  1829)  ;  d.  Aug.  13,  lv835.    Child  :  William,  b.  Nov. 
2,  1777,  in  Rutland,  Mass. 

William^  Banks  (J^awesi),  b.  Nov.  2,  1777;  m.,  1st,  Nov.  25,  1806, 
Polly  Wiley  (d.  Nov.  1,  1816)  of  Rockingham,  Vt. ;  m.,  2nd,  Sept. 
24,  1817,  Mary  Weaver  (d.  Nov.  12,  1821)  ;  m.,  3d,  April  25,  1826, 
Martha  H.  Chapman  (d.  1859).  lied.  March  26,  1848.  Children  by 
Polly  Wiley :  Alraira,  b.  May  10,  1808.  Sarah  S.,b.  April  28,  1810. 
Wniliam,  b.  April  24,  1812.  Mary  M.  b.  May  9,  1814.  Silvia  and 
Sylvanus,  b.  "Sept.  25,  1816  ;  he  d.  Oct.  11,  1846.  Silvia  m.  Lyman 
Parker.  Children  by  Mary  Weaver:  Harriet  W.,  b.  July  18,  isi.S; 
m.  Oren  W^yley  of  Greenfield,  Mass. ;  d.  1872.  Philena  G.,  b.  Jan. 
2,  1820  ;  m.  Darius  Peterson  of  Winchester ;  d.  Feb.,  1876.  Child  by 
Martha  H.  Chapman  :  Alanson  W.,  b.  Dec.  20,  1827. 

Ai-anson  W.^  Banks  {William,-  James^),  b.  Dec.  20,  1827;  m,, 
1st,  Sept.  10,  1850,  Selanda  S.  (d.  Mar.  22,  1866),  daughter  of  Israel 
Applin  ;  m.,  2nd,  Jan.  14,  1870,  Eunice  F.  Lane  (d.  Apr.  1,  1872), 
widow  of  Moses  D.  Ballou.  Children:  Etta  V.,  b.  July  20,  1858. 
Henry  W.,  b.  April  10,  1864. 

Henry  W.^  Banks  {Alanson  W.,^  William-  James^),  b.  April  10, 
1864;  m.  Mar3'  E.  (b.  April  15, 1870),  daughter  of  Andrew  B.  Cook. 
Child  :  Edith  Maj',  b.  March  23,  1890. 


GENEALOGICAL  RECORDS.  287 


BARDEN. 

Charles  A.^  Barden  (Abner  S.'^  of  Richmond) ,  b.  Sept.  17,  1859  ; 
m.  Dec.  31,  1883,  Nellie  M.  (b.  March  8,  1865),  daughter  of  Luther 
Alexander.     Child  :  Charles  D.,  b.  Aug.  21,  1885. 

BARTLETT. 

Sylvands  Bartlett^  {Sylvanus^  of  Northfielcl,  Mass.)  ,xq.,  1st,  July 
10,  1845,  Catherine  L.  (d.  Jan.  8,  1849),  daughter  of  Seth  Willard 
of  Winchester;  m.,  2nd,  Nov.  7,  1868,  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of 
Jonathan  Ellis  of  Kentuck3\  Children  :  Cassius  M.  C,  d.  Aug.  27, 
1849.    Percey  Gordon,  b.  Aug.  30,  1870.    Lula  E.,  b.  Sept.  6,  1875. 

Fred  F.^  Bartlett  (Eoyal^  of  Guilford,  Vt.),  b.  Apr.  29,  1836  ;  m. 
Jan.  28,  1864,  Livonia  M.  (b.  March  20,  1846),  daughter  of  Lyman 
Leach.  Children  :  Fred  E.,  b.  Nov.  11,  1864.  Lillian  M.,  b.  July 
5,  1866.  Rosie  E.,  b.  Oct.  8,  1868.  Mary  E.,  b.  Feb.  7,  1871.  Sarah 
J.,  b.  Jan.  7,  1873.  Laura  W.,  b.  Apr.  21,  1875.  Anna  R.,  b.  Apr. 
16,  1877. 

BARRETT. 

Alfred  Barrett  m.  Aug.  5,  1806,  Philinda  Hale. 

battles. 
PniNEHAS  Battles  m.  July  27,  1797,  Lydia  Blodgett. 

BATES. 

Jarvis  Bates  and  his  wife  Eliza  Ann  had  :  Julius  Jarvis,  b.  Aug.  15, 
1839.  Ann  Elizabeth,  b.  July  22,  1842 ;  d.  Aug.  20,  1843.  Edwin 
Earl,  b.  Jan.  7,  1843. 

Daniel  H.  Bates  m.  Apr.  28,  1840,  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Thatcher. 

BAXTER. 

Dr.  Henri^  Baxter  {Robert^  of  Providence,  R.  /.),  of  Pomfret,  Vt., 
b.  March  15,  1784  ;  m.,  1st,  Sept.  24, 1804,  Mary  (b.  1779  ;  d.  Feb.  23, 
1843),  daughter  of  Elijah  Weedon  of  Conn.  ;  m.,  2nd,  Feb.  4,  1844, 
Mary  Ann,  widow  of  Clark  Wilson  ;  he  d.  April  4, 1853.  Children  by 
Mary  :  Edith,  b.  July  8,  1805  ;  m.  George  Johnson  of  Surr3^  Anna 
H.,  b.  Nov.  20,  1807;  m.  Aug.  14,  1831,  Rufus  Thompson.  Mary 
G.,  b.  Oct.  24,  1809  ;  d.  May  16,  1845.     Darwin  D.,  b.  April  10, 


288  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

1811  ;  d.  July  7, 1863.  Henry  C,  b.  Jan.  1,  1813  ;  d.  Aug.  22,  1843. 
Belinda  B.,  b.  March  11,  1815;  m.  Jonathan  W.  Capron.  Sarah 
W.,  b.  Oct.  24,  1817;  m.  Hiram  Drewry  of  Girard,  Pa.  Philotha 
P.,  b.  Dec.  12,  1822;  m.  Thomas  H.  Wellington  of  Holyoke,  Mass. 
Mary  Ann,  b.  Nov.  15,  1845  ;  m.  B.  F.  Evans  of  Keene, 

Darwin  D. 3  Baxter  {Henry,-  Robert^),  b.  April  10,  1811  ;  ni.,  1st, 
Parmelia  Smith  of  Warwick,  Mass. ;  ra.,  2nd,  1835,  Mar^^  Rogers  (d. 
Dec.  25,  1858)  of  Dover;  m.,3d,  1861,  Octavia  Farnum  of  Holyoke. 
He  d.  July  7,  1863. 

BEAL. 

LuTiiEu-  Beal  (Samuel^  of  Chesterfield),  b.  Nov.  4,  1819  ;  m.  Al- 
freda  (b.  Oct.  13,  1822),  daughter  of  John  Martin  of  Richmond  ;  d. 
Aug.  22,  1865.  Children:  J.  S.  Commodore,  b.  March  4,  1847. 
Lucy,  b.  Sept.  13,  1857  ;  m.  George  A.  Seaver.  Amos  E.,  b.  March 
9,  1862. 

Harvey  H.^  Beal  {Samuel^  of  Chesterfield),  b.  Oct.  11,  1821  ; 
m.  Oct.  17,  1850,  Julia  A.  (b.  Aug.  8,1824),  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Hill;  d.  Feb.  28,  1876.  Children:  Cora  Jane,  b.  May  6,  1855;  m. 
Will.  II.  Levering.  Leonard  E.,  b.  March  22,  1860.  Elmer  E.,  b. 
Feb.  23,  1864  ;d.  Jan.  26,  1866.     Annie  E.,  m.  Fred  E.  Wellington. 

J.  S.  Commodore^  Bexl  (Luther,-  Samuel^),  b.  March  4,  1847;  m. 
Oct.  6,  1870,  Addie  P.,  daughter  of  Andrew  J.  Bliss  of  Royalston, 
Mass.  Children:  Olin  L.,  b.  Apr.  21,  1873.  Archie  A.,  b.  Aug. 
25,  1874.  Henrietta  A.  F.,  b.  June  20,  1877;  d.  March  24,  1878. 
C.  Ivo,  b.  Feb.  5,  1879.     Phebe  M.,  b.  Apr.  8,  1882. 

Amos  E.^  Beal  (Luther,^  Samuel^),  b.  March  9,  1862;  ni.  March 
17,  1888,  Grace  L.,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Bryant  of  Richmond. 
Child:  Leon  Eugene,  b.  Oct.  24,  1889. 

BELDING. 

Samuel  Belding,  from  StrafTordshire,  England,  settled  in  Wethers- 
field,  Conn.  Had  four  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  sons'  names 
were  Noah,  Kiah,  Samuel  and  David.  Samuel  and  David  settled  in 
Swanzey  very  soon  after  the  first  settlement  in  the  town  was  made. 
One  of  the  daughters  married  Noah  Nash  of  Hatfield  and  the  other 
William  Ames  of  Deerfield. 


I 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  289 

Samuel^  Belding  {Samuel^  of  Wethersfield,  Conn.),  bad  bj'  bis 
wife  Cbristian  :  Eleanor,  bapt.  May  27,  1744.  Setb,  d.  Dec.  12, 
1745.  Mary,b.  1752  ;  ra.  Jetliro  Kimball.  Martba,  b.  May  4,  1756. 
Samuel,  bapt.  July  15,  1758.  Charlotte,  bapt.  Nov.  16,  1760;  m. 
Abraham  Page.  Sarah,  bapt.  Jan.  29,  1764;  d.  Aug.  4,  1764.  Sa- 
rah, m.  Ephraim  Page. 

David^  Belding  {Samuel^  of  Wethersfield,  Conn.),  had  by  his 
wife  Thankful  :  Moses.  Elijah,  b.  in  May,  1743.  David.  Lydia, 
m.  Mr.  Read.  Thankful,  m.  Roger  Thompson.  He  d.  in  Aug.,  1804. 
She  d.  May  6,  1798. 

Samuel^  Belding  [Samuel,-  Sanmel^),  bapt.  July  15,  1758.  The 
name  of  his  wife  was  Naomi.  Children:  Seth,  b.  Nov.  16,1787. 
Cynthia,  b.  Aug.  30,  1789.  Milley,  b.  Aug.  3,  1791.  Christian,  b. 
May  11,  1793;  m.  Erasmus  Marble.  Wealthy,  b.  June  28,  1795. 
Samuel,  b.  Oct.  12,  1807. 

MosES-^  Belding  (Davkl,^  Samuel^),  m.  Feb.  25,  1762,  Rachel 
Hayes.  Children  :  Lucinda,  bapt.  Oct.  2,  1763.  James,  b.  May  4, 
1765.  John  and  Asa,  bapt.  Jan.  15,  1771.  Polly,  bapt.  June  6, 
1773.  Dolly,  bapt.  March  19,  1775.  Rachel,  bapt.  June  1,  1777. 
Moses,  bapt.  Nov.  7,  1779.  Thankful,  bapt.  Sept.  8,  1782.  David, 
bapt.  Feb.  13,  1791. 

Elijah^  Belding  (David,^  SamueU)  bapt.  May  20,  1743 ;  m., 
1st,  Dec.  9,  1767,  Rlioda  (b.  about  1747  ;  d.  Jan.  25,  1802),  daughter 
of  William  Carr  ;  m.,  2nd,  March  26,  1806,  Submit  Graves;  d.  June 
29,  1809  ;  in.,  3d,  May  7,  1812,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Warner.  He  d.  Jan. 
19,  1813.  She  m.  May  14,  1816,  Abel  Twitchel  of  Dublin.  Chil- 
dren :  Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.  8,  1769  ;  ni.  Israel  Houghton  Gunn.  Esther, 
b.  Feb.  10,  1770  ;  m.  Cyprian  Wright.  Mary,  b.  Apr.  7,  1772  ;  m. 
Moses  Hills.  Rachel,  b.  Oct.  2,  1774  ;  m.  Luther  Wright.  W.  Carr, 
b.  Feb.  28,  1776  ;  d.  July  5,  1814.  Elijah,  b.  March  17,  1778.  Sa- 
rah, b.  Feb.  18,  1780  ;  m.  Calvin  Hills.  Thankful,  b.  Nov.  4,  1782  ; 
m.  Consider  Carpenter.  Sophia,  b.  Apr.  6,  1789  ;  m.  Elkanah  Lane 
Richardson.     Sylvia,  b.  Sept.  21,  1792  ;  m.  Samuel  B.  Brown. 

David^  Belding  (David,^  SamxieV-),  m.  Feb.  5,  1770,  Lucy,  prob- 
ably a  daughter  of  Abraham  Graves.  Children  :  Lovina,  bapt.  Dec. 
15,  1771.  An  infant  d.  Aug.  28,  1775.  Twins  d.  Dec.  18,  1776. 
Solomon,  bapt.  May  23,  1784. 


290  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Seth'' Belding  (Samuely^  Samuel,^  Samuel^),  b.  Nov.  16,  1787; 
m.  widow  Abijah  Whitcoinb  (d.  March  31,  1869,  aged  72^  j^ears)  ; 
d.  Ma}'  1 1,  1876,  aged  88  years. 

Jambs'*  Belding  {Moses,^  David,'^  SamueV),  b.  May  4,  1765;  m. 
Jan.  18,  1787,  Dolly  (b.  Feb.  12,  1765,  and  was  the  first  child  b.  in 
INIarlboroiigh),  daughter  of  Isaac  McAlister  of  Marlborough.  Chil- 
dren :  Philander,  b.  July  29,  1787.  Anna,  b.  Oct.  5,  1789.  Asa,  b. 
Aug.  4,  1792.  Moses,  b.  Feb.  11,  1795.  Ira,  b.  Aug.  14,  1797. 
Dolly,  b.  Nov.  30,  1799;  m.  a  Mr.  Goodnow.  Aliuira,  b.  Oct.  1, 
1802. 

Elijah'*  Belding  (Elijah,^  David,^  Scnmiel^),  b.  March  17,  1778; 
m.  Nov.  1,  1796,  Margaret  (b.  Apr.  6,  1774;  d.  in  Woodstock,  Vt., 
Dec.  25,  1863),  daughter  of  Thomas  Trowbridge  ;  d.  in  Woodstock, 
Yt.,  Nov.  18,  1867.  Children:  Eliza,  b.  July  15, 1797  ;  ni.  Abraham 
Stearns.  Maria,  b.  Feb.  2,  1799  ;  d.  Feb.  19,  1803.  Maria,  b.  Jan. 
14,  1803  ;  in.  Abijah  Blake. 

Elijah  Carr^  Belding  (grandson  of  Elijah,^  David,^  Samuel^),  b. 
Aug.  7, 1795  ;  m.  Feb.  27,  1825,  Elvira  (b.  March  13,  1804),  daughter 
of  Levi  Blake.  Children:  AVilliam  Carr,  b.  Jan.  11,  1826.  Mary 
Grout,  b.  Nov.  4,  1827  ;  m.  Joseph  Ware.  George  Blake,  b.  Sept. 
23,  1829.  Maria  Elizabeth,  b.  May  25,  1831 ;  m.  Aaron  Richardson 
of  Keene.  Francis  Abijah,  b.  Feb.  19,  1833.  Elvira  S.,  b.  Dec.  7, 
1835;  m.  William  C.  Oakman  of  Hazel  Green,  la.  Augusta  Jane, 
b.  Jan.  4,  1837;  m.  Frank  Ilolden.  Emeline  Edith,  b.  April  9, 
1841;  m.  William  S.  Jackson.  Ellen  Eliza,  b.  Dec.  11,  1843;  in. 
Charles  S.  Perry.  Abbie  Malvina,  in.  Frank  Ilolden  of  Brattleboro', 
Vt. 

William  C.^  Belding  {Elijah  C.,^  grandson  of  Elijah,^  David,^ 
Samnel^),  b.  Jan.  11,  1826;  m.  Jan.  29,  1862,  Rebecca  Hammond  (b. 
Feb.  17,  1841  ;  d.  April  17,  1882)  daughter  of  Mark  Cook  of  Ches- 
teriield.  Children  :  Mary  Juliette,  b.  April  9,  1863  ;  d.  Oct.  31,  1863. 
William  C,  b.  Dec.  4,  1864.  Nellie  Maria,  b.  March  8,  1867.  Levi 
Lowell,  b.  Dec.  22,  1871. 

BENNETT. 

John  Bennett  b.  about  1740  ;  came  from  Douglas,  Mass.,  in  1787 
and  settled  in  Richmond,  N.  H.,  and  afterwards  came  to  S^anzey. 
Children  :  Levi,  David  and  Deborah,  b.  July  3,  1765  ;  Deborah,  m. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  291 

Isaac  Mann.  Asaliel,  b.  July  16,  1766.  Maiy,  b.  Dec.  15,  1768  ; 
m.  Cyrus  Garnsey.  Nehemiab,  b.  Dec.  28, 1770.  Joanna,  b.  Feb. 
12,  1778;  m.  Jonas  Twitchell.     Naomi,  m.  Mr.  Curtis. 

David'-^  Bennett  {John^  of  Douglas,  Mass.),  b.  July  3,  1765  ;  m. 
June  10,  1787,  Ama  (b.  March  19,  1764),  daughter  of  Anthony 
Harris.  Children  :  Levi,  b.  Feb.  9,  1789.  Caleb,  b.  Aug.  30,  1794. 
David,  b.  March  12,  1797.  Luke,  b.  Jan.  6,  1799.  Lydia,  b.  Nov. 
29,  1803  ;  m.  Jan.  1,  1829,  Arthur  Hinds  of  Chesterfield.  Allen,  b. 
July  3,  1806. 

Nehemiah^  Bennett  (John^),  b.  Dec.  28,  1770  ;  m.  Lucy  (b.  Nov. 
29,  1774;  came  from  Richmond  and  d.  June  30,  1836),  dangiiter  of 
Amos  Garnsey.  Children  :  Hirain.  Esther,  m.  Aug.  16,  1815,  Na- 
thaniel Prime  of  Chesterfield.  Nellie,  m.  March  1,  1818,  Job  Whit- 
comb.  Amos.  Asahel  went  west.  John,  m.  Ruth  Britton  of  West- 
moreland ;  residence  unknown.  Lucy  m.  Alvah  Keyes ;  removed  to 
Hartland,  Vt. 

JoHN^  Bennett,  ra.  Jan.  10,  1822,  Mrs.  Abigail  Genney  of  West- 
moreland. 

Allen-^  Bennett  {David,^  John^),  m.  Mary  Cooly.  Child:  Eph- 
raim. 

Caleb?  Bennett  (David,^  Jolin^),  b.  Aug.  30,  1794;  m.  Dec.  23, 
1819,  Sophia  (b.  Feb.  9,  1797),  daughter  of  Isaac  Hinds  of  Chester- 
field. 

David3  Bennett  {David,^  JoJm^),  b.  March  12,  1797;  m.  Feb.  3, 

1825,  Harriet  (b.  May  6,  1801  ;  d.  Aug.  6,  1849),  daughter  of  Cal- 
vin Curtis.  He  d.  Aug.  2,  1845.  Cliildren  :  Fernando  Byron,  b. 
Dec.  31,  1826.  Calfurna  Amanda,  b.  Jan.  25,  1830;  m.  Oct.  12, 
1847,  George  A.  Sprague  ;  d.  Dec.  30,  1850.  Samuel  P.,  b.  June  22, 
1834.  William  H.,  b.  Oct.  24,  1840;  m.  Sept.  17,  1867,  Ellen  A. 
Martin. 

Ldke3  Bennett  {David,^John^),  b.  Jan.  6,  1799  ;  m.  Feb.  8,  1825, 
Anna  (b.  Aug.  31,  1799;  d.  April  21,  1883),  daughter  of  Amasa 
Aldrich ;  d.  April  22,  1854.      Children:  Irvin  Boliver,  b.  Sept.  1, 

1826.  Addis  Emmit,  b.  Feb.  3,  1828.  Amelia,  b.  Sept.  16,  1829  ; 
m.  Gilbert  S.  Howard  of  Springfield,  Mass.  Albert  Gallatin,  b.  Sept. 
9,  1831 ;  d.  Jan.  18,  1856.     Amasa  A.,  b.  1836. 


292  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Hiram  P.^  Bennett  (Nehemiah,-  John^),  rn.,  1st,  July  5,  1825, 
Polly,  daughter  of  Jesse  Thompson  ;  ni.  a  second  wife  in  Indiana. 
She  m.  a  Mr.  Blake  of  Surry  for  a  second  husband;  resides  in  Illi- 
nois. Children  :  Esther  Maria,  m.  William  Marian  of  Watpole;  re- 
sides in  Burlington,  Wis.  Mary  Elizabeth,  m.  Frank  Blake  of  Surry  ; 
resides  in  Wheaton,  111. 

Amos^  Bennett  (Nehemiah,'^  John^),  m.  April  18,  1821,  Lueretia 
(d.  May  13,  1882),  daughter  of  Esek  Buffum  of  Richmond;  d. 
Sept.  2,  1856.  Children:  P^n^ily  B.,  b.  1824;  ni.  P^nos  Bigolow. 
Amos  G.,  b.  Oct.  7,  1826.  Asahel,  b.  March  23,  1828.  Oscar,  b. 
July,  1830.  John,  b.  March  4,  1834.  Andrew,  b.  Nov.,  1836. 
Wales  B.,  b.  Oct.  26,  1839.  Fanny,  b.  Aug.  7,  1843  ;  m.  William 
Garnsey.     Sarah  Jane,  b.  June  23,  1848  ;  m.  John  M.  Swain. 

Fernando  B."*  Bennett  (Davicl,^  Davicl,^  John^),h.  Dec.  31,  1826; 
m.  Ma}'  2,  1849,  Charlotte  W.,  daughter  of  John  L.  Aldrich  ;  d.  June 
22,  1863. 

Addis  E."*  Bennett  {Luke,^  David,^  John^),  b.  Feb.  3,  1828;  ra. 
April  24,  1850,  Elida  Ann  (d.  Feb.  25,  1871),  daughter  of  David 
Read.     Child  :  Carrie  M.,  b.  Jan.  12,  1862. 

Samuel  P.^  Bennett  (David,'^  David,-  Jolin^),  b.  June  22,  1834; 
m.  June  7,  1854,  Harriet  M.,  daughter  of  Aaron  R.  Hammond,  3d; 
she  resides  in  Somerville,  Mass.  He  d.  Oct.  24,  1868.  Children  : 
Eddie,  b.  Aug.  25,  1854  ;  ni.  and  d.  in  Somerville,  Mass.  Emma  H., 
b.  April  18,  1862  ;  d.  Feb.  5,  1864.  Leon  S.,  b.  May  14,  1866  ;  ni. 
July  15,  1889,  Edith  Snell ;  lives  in  Somerville,  Mass. 

Irvin  B.4  Bennett  (Luke,^  David, ^  JoJm^),h.  Sept.  1,  1826;  ra. 
May  1,  1848,  Abby  J.  Barlow.  He  d.  A])r.  20,  1854.  Children: 
Frank  H.,  b.  April  24,  1850;  d.  May  5,  1850.  Addis  Eldorus,  b. 
Oct.  15,  1853 ;  d.  May  28,  1854. 

Amos  G.^  Bennktt  {Amos,^  Nehemiali,-  John^),h.  Oct.  7,  1826; 
ra.  Apr.  18,  1847,  Almina  C.  (b.  Jan.  22,  1S28),  daughter  of  Peleg 
Taft.     Children:  Oscar  C,  b.  P^eb.  28,  1848.      Otto  P.,  b.  Nov.  7, 

1857. 

Oscar  C  Bennett  {Amos  G.,^  Amos,^  NehemiaJi,^  John^),  b.  Feb. 
28,  1848;  m.  Feb.   1,  1870,  p:mma  S.  Balstou  (b.  Jan.  24,  1851). 
Child:  Ivo  A.,  b.  Aug.  4,  1871. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  293 

Otto  P.^  Bennett  {Amos  G.,^  Amos,^  Nehemiah,^  John^) ,  b.  Nov. 
7,  1857  ;  m.  March  29,  1879,  Attie  H.,  daughter  of  David  B.  Aldrich 
of  Richmond. 

BEVERSTOCK. 

Edward  Beverstock,  m.  June  17,  1773,  Anna  Hill. 

Daniel  Beverstock,  m.  Nov.  18,  1788,  Molly,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Cressou. 

bidwell. 
Grove^  Bidwell  (AUe7i^  of  Langdon),  b.  1801  ;  m.  May  18,  1823, 
Luciuda  (b.  1803;  d.  Nov.  25,  1882),  daughter  of  Lawrence  Jefts 
of  Charlestown.  He  d.  Apr.  20,  1881.  Children:  Maria  L.,  b. 
June  4,  1831  ;  m.  Geo.  W.  Draper.  George  G.,  b.  Dec.  23,  1834. 
Osman  A.,  b.  AprU  29,  1837.     Henry  G.,  b.  Sept.  13,  1847. 

George  G.^  Bidwell  {Grove,-  AUeji^),  b.  Dec.  23,  1834  ;  m.  Nov. 
16,  1865,  Emily  A.  (b.  Sept.  24,  1837),  daughter  of  Col.  Ethan  B. 
Wells  of  Eockingham,  Vt.,  where  he  d.  March  20,  1889. 

Osman  A. 3  Bidwell  {Grove,^  Allen^),  b.  April  29,  1837;  m.,  1st, 
April,  1870,  Augusta  (b.  Nov.  5,  1853  ;  d.  June  26,  1874),  daughter 
of  George  W.  Eastman;  m.,  2nd,  Clara  E*,  daughter  of  John  D. 
Hale.     He  d.  May  12,  1883. 

Bishop. 

Timothy  Bishop  and  Hannah  had:  Lucy,  b.  Jan.  23,  1771.  Abi- 
gail, b.  May  23,  1773. 

Betsey  Bishop  m.  Nov.  6,  1783,  Ezckiel  Kellogg  of  Clarendon, 
Vt. 

Daniel  Bishop,  2d,  m.  May  24,  1787,  Edith  Steel. 

Timothy  Bishop  m.  Dec.  9,  1790,  Lois  Whitcomb. 

Elisha  Bishop  m.  Feb.  3,  1819,  Fanny  Piper. 

Samuel^  Bishop  {David^  of  Hubhardston,  Mass.),  b.  Dec.  31, 
1844;  m.  Dec.  12,  1867,  Eleanor  J.  (b.  about  1850),  daughter  of 
Amasa  Ballon.  Children  :  Eugene  R.,  b,  Dec.  3,  1868.  James  B.,  b. 
April  26,  1871.  Jennie  E.,  b.  Nov.  9,  1872;  d.  Feb.  24,  1873. 
Fred  0.,  b.  Aug.  17,  1875.     Stella  A.,  b.  March  18,  1881. 


294  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 


BLACK. 

Sumner  W.2  Black  (EW  of  Chesterfield),  b.  1819  ;  m.,  1st,  in  Ches- 
terfield, Rebecca  Willanl  (b.  1825  ;  d.  July  25,  1853)  ;  m.,  2nd,  Jan. 
20,  1855,  Susan  A.  (b.  May  26,  1838),  daughter  of  EUery  K.  Ahlrich 
of  Richmond.  Cliihh'en  :  Ella  A.,  b.  Feb.  20,  1857,  in  Suny  ;  d. 
July  10,  1858.  Gracie  E.,  b.  Feb.  14,  1860,  in  Ashburnhaiu,  Mass. ; 
m.  Edgar  E.  Ramsdell. 

Orrin2  Black  {Jolin^  of  Putney,  Vt.),  b.  July  5,  1800,  in  Northfield, 
Vt. ;  ni.  Feb.  25,  1828,  Abigail  (b.  June  24,  1800),  daughter  of  Cal- 
vin Chapin  of  Craftsbury,  Vt.  Children:  Ellen  M.,  b.  March  25, 
1830:  ni.  Oct.  24,  1850,  David  R.  Marshall.  Ann  M.,  b.  Aug.  29, 
1832;  ni.  May  16,  1850,  Elbridge  H.  Ingalls  of  Keene  ;  m.,  2ud, 
April  12,  1870,  James  H.  Smith.  Sarah  Jane,  b.  Dec.  29,  1834;  m. 
1875,  John  Dummer.  Orrin,  b.  Sept.  12,  1836;  lives  in  Canada. 
George  L.,  b.  Oct.  3,  1843;  drowned  in  Lake  Michigan,  Oct.  20, 
1865. 

BLAKE. 

The  emigrant  ancestor  of  Levi  Blake,  who  settled  in  Swanzey, 
settled  in  Sandwich,  Mass.  His  descendants  Andreio,'^  Andreio,^  and 
Abijah,^  ancestors  of  Levi,  resided  in  Wrentham,  Mass. 

Levi^  Blake  {Ahijah,^  Aiidreto,'^  Andreio^),  b.  Jan  14,  1778;  ra. 
Aug.  17,  1800,  Polly  Kelly  (b.  Aug.  25,  1773  ;  d.  Dec.  6,  1856).  He 
d.  Sept.  19,  1855.  Children:  Abijah,  b.  Aug.  11,  1801.  Elvira,  b. 
March  13,  1804;  m.  Elijah  C.  Belding.  Maria  Cornell,  b.  Nov.  5, 
1806  ;  m.  Nathan  Fessenden.  Polly  Kelley,  b.  Jan.  12,  1809  ;  d.  Oct. 
5,  1830.  Levi,  twin  to  Polly,  b.  Jan.  12,  1809;  d.  Feb.  1,  1809. 
Levi  and  Lowell  (twins),  b.  Apr.  8,  1811 ;  Lowell,  d.  May  30,  1811 ; 
Levi,  d.  June  4,  1811.     Benjamin  Chever,  b.  Sept.  8,  1816. 

Abijah^  Blake  {Levi,^  Abijah,^  Andreio,^  Aiuheiv'^),  b.  Aug.  11, 
1801  ;  m.  Feb.  8,  1826,  Maria  (b.  Jan.  14,  1803),  daughter  of  Eli- 
jah Belding. 

Benjamin  C.^  Blake  {Levi,'^  Abijah,^  Andreio,^  Andrew^),  b.  Sept. 
8, 1816  ;  ra.  March  11,  1841,  Emeline  A,  (b.  March  14,  1818),  daugh- 
ter of  xYinasa  Aldrich  ;  d.  Feb.  28,  1843.  Child  :  Nancy  Maria,  b. 
June  11,  1842  ;  ra.  a  Mr,  Leach  of  Westmoreland. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  295 

Alfred  S.^  Blake  {Elijah^  of  Keene),  m.  June  9,  1864,  Martha 
Malindu  (b.  Jan.  20,  1840),  dangliter  of  William  Read.  Children: 
Grade  M.  and  Cata  F.  (twins),  b.  July  15,  1872. 

Carlostink  Blake  of  Weare,  m.  Sophia  (b.  June  3,  1811),  daugh- 
ter of  John  Holbrook.  Children  :  John,  b.  Dec.,  1838  ;  d.  April  22, 
1855.     Nathan  C,  b.  1841  ;  d.  May  15,  1863. 

BLISS. 

Andrew  J.^  Bliss  {Benjamin^  from  Royalston,  Mass.),  b.  April  8, 
1820;  m.  Oct.  9,  1850,  Pliebe  A.  (b.  June  9,  1829),  daughter  of  Jo- 
seph Streeter  of  Concord,  Vt. ;  d.  Oct.  6,  1887.  Children  :  Ella  M., 
d.  in  Minnesota.  Adaline  P.,  b.  Sept.  20,  1853  ;  m.  J.  S.  C.  Beal. 
Amanda  I.,  b.  May  22,  1856;  ni.  George  R.  Putnam  of  Keene. 
Sopiiia  L.,  b.  July  27,  1859  ;  m.  Walter  Davis.  Andrew  E.,  b.  July 
4,  1864;  m.  Alice  Haskins  of  Orange,  Mass.  Ora  D.,  b.  Feb.  3, 
1871. 

BLODGETT. 

Jonas  Blodgett,  b.  Aug.  4,  1757;  m,  Sarah  Fletcher  (b.  Jan.  1, 
1753  ;  d.  Jan.  19,  1833)  ;  d.  Aug.  19,  1826.  Children  :  John,  b.  Jan. 
12,  1782.  Amma,  b.  Feb.  23,  1784;  d.  June  9,  1819.  Joshua,  b. 
April  27,  1785.  Jonas,  b.  May  18,  1787.  Jesse,  b.  July  21,  1789. 
Mittie,  b.  July  29,  1791;  d.  May  29,  1811.  Sally,  b.  March  21, 
1793  ;  d.  March  29,  1816.  Hannah,  b.  March  20,  1795  ;  m.  Lawson 
Moore. 

Charles  Blodgett,  b.  July  7,  1847;  m.  Dec.  19,  1867,  Ida  So- 
phia (b.  Jul}'  2,  1853),  dangliter  of  Sanford  Bowles.  Children: 
Nettie  E.,  b.  June  17,  1868.     Minnie  F.,  b.  May  22,  1870. 

BOLLES. 

Barney-  Bolles  {Elijah}  of  Riclimond),  m.  Emily  (b.  May  30, 
1811),  daughter  of  James  Olcott.  Children:  Emily  Maria,  b.  Dec. 
24,  1833  ;  m.  Mr.  Chatterton.  Hiram  O.  James  PL,  m.  Cora,  daugh- 
ter of  Nelson  and  Huldah  Nash  (a  daughter  of  Joseph  Hammond). 
Sarah  E.  and  Marah  M.  (twins).  Marah  M.,  d.  June  14,  1859. 
Flora  J.     The  entire  famil}',  removed  to  Springfield,  111. 

Randall^  Bolles  (JoJm^),  b.  Sept.  22,  1807;  m.  Susan  Ann  (b. 
Jan.  11,  1814;  d.  Feb.  12,  1879),  daughter  of  John  Holbrook;  d. 


296  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Feb.  7,  1879,  aged  73.  Children:  Hiram  H.,  b.  Jan.  19,  1837. 
Maria  INI.,  b.  Marcli  11,  1841  ;  m.  Reuben  L.  Angier  of  Fitzwilliam. 
Abida  Ann,  b.  May  1,  1850.  Ellen  E.,  b.  Jan.  29,  1855;  m.  Fred 
W.  Farr. 

Hiram  H.^  Bolles  (RandalW^  John^),  b.  Jan.  19,  1837;  m.  Sept. 
8,  1868,  Celeste  J.  (b.  July  14,  1839),  daughter  of  Henry  R.  Bennett 
of  Glen  Soutton,  P.  Q.  Children  :  John,  1).  July  14,  1869.  Henry  R., 
b.  Nov.  7,  1872.  LydiaM.,  b.  Feb.  7,  1879  ;  d.  Aug.  17, 1881.  Hiram 
H.,  b.  Aug.  20,  1883. 

BOURN. 

Nathaniel^  Bourn  (William,-  Amos'^  of  Richmond),  b.  March  3, 
1791  ;  m.  March  1,  1812,  Mary  (b.  Oct.  13,  1790;  d.  May  7,  1803), 
daughter  of  John  Cass,  jr.,  of  Richmond;  d.  Feb.  17,  1875.  Chil- 
dren :  Asahel  B.,  b.  May  30, 1813.  Ansel,  b.  Aug.  15,  1814.  Wil- 
liam,  b.  Apr.  2,  1817;  d.  Aug.  26,  1838.  Selina,  b.  June  13,  1821  ; 
m.  Moses  Garfield  of  Royalston,  Mass.  Nathaniel,  b.  Jan.  8,  1826. 
John  C,  b.  Oct.  8,  1829. 

Ansel'' Bourn  (Nathaniel,'^  Willicnn,^  Amos^  of  Richmond) ,  b.  Aug. 
15,  1814  ;  m.  March  19,  1832,  Laura  Ann  (d.  Sept.  14,  1872),  daugh- 
ter of  Silas  Ballon.  He  d.  Aug.  1,  1848.  Children:  Amos  AV.,  b, 
June  11,  1832.  Almanza  C,  b.  June  21,  1834;  d.  Sept.  i^o,  1838. 
Albert  A.,  b.  Oct.  21,  1835 ;  d.  Sept.  13,  1838.  Amasa  W.,  1).  June 
11,  1837;  d.  July  29,  1869.  Selina  A.,  b.  Aug.  31,  1839  ;  m.  Charles 
R.  Applin;  d.  May  4,  1887.  Silas,  b.  Dec.  26,  1840;  d.  young. 
Martha  L.,  b.  May  20,  1842 ;  m.  Charles  P.  Lawrence  of  Winchester. 
William  J.,  b.  June  10,  1844  ;  d.  Nov.  16,  1850.  Ansel  E.,  b.  Jan. 
27,  1846.     Laura  A.  M.,  b.  April  12,  1848  ;  d.  Nov.  4,  1848. 

Nathaniel'*  Bourn  (Nathaniel,^  William,^  Amos^  of  Richmond),  b. 
Jan.  8,  1826;  m.  Aug.  20,  1851,  Mary  Butler  of  Troy,  N.  H. ;  re- 
sides in  Illinois  ;  had  three  children . 

John  C.^  Bourn  (iVa^7iaH('eZ,3  William,^  Amos^),h.  Oct.  8,  1829; 
m.  Nov.  24,  1853,  Esther  (b.  April  12,  1834),  daughter  of  Asa  E. 
Emerson.  Children  :  Eda  May,  b.  Nov.  4,  1859  ;  d.  Nov.  16,  1877. 
Edmund  A.,  an  adopted  son. 

Ansel  E.^  Bourn  (Ansel,'*  Nathaniel,'^  William,'^  Amos^),  b.  Jan. 
27,  1846;  m.  May  1,  1867,  Hattie  E.   (b.  June  24,  1847),  daughter 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  297 

of  Albert  A.  Fassett,  of  Winchester.  Children  :  Lizzie  Maria,  b.  June 
17,  1868;  d.  Sept.  11,  1869.  Nellie  E.,  b.  Jan.  9,  1870;  m.  Archie 
Thompson,  1887.  Edgar  Earl,  b.  May  20,  1872.  Oscar  E.,  b.  April 
28,  1874.     Grace  E.,  b.  Oct.  3,  1876. 

Edmund  A. 5  Bovrs  (John  0.,^  Nathaniel,^  William,^  Amos^),  b. 
May  29,  1852;  m.  March  11,  1882,  Flora  A.  (b.  Sept.  5,  1860), 
daughter  of  Lucius  Whitcomb.  Children  :  Ella  Agnes,  b.  March  3, 
1883,  in  Fitzwilliam.     Esther  Maria,  b.  Nov.  27,  1887,  in  Swanzey. 

BOUVIER. 

Charles  A.^  Bouvier  (Charles^  of  Keene),  b.  March  18,  1861; 
m.  June  18,  1883,  Emma  M.,  daughter  of  Thomas  Naylon.  Child: 
J.  Edward,  b.  March  18,  1884. 

BOWEN. 

RuFUS^  BowEN  (Reuben,^  Thomas^  of  Richmond) ,  b.  Oct.  8,  1800; 
m.  March  2,  1826,  Alona  (d.  Jan.  13,  1866),  daughter  of  Rhoda  Al- 
drich  of  Richmond.     He  d.  Oct.  6,  1866. 

Henry  R.^  Bowen  (Uberto,'^  James,^  Nathaniel^  of  Richmond, 
JSf.  H.),  b.  June  13,  1840;  m.  Jennie  C.  (b.  Dec,  1848),  daughter  of 
Jerrel  A.  Curtis  of  Richmond,  N.  H. 

Benjamin  F.^  Bowen  (Zimri  of  Richmond),  b.  July  12,  1851  ;  m. 
June  9,  1886,  Mary  M.  L.  (b.  Jan.  21,  1857),  daughter  of  Schuyler 
Seaver.    Child  :  Alice  M.,  b.  Nov.  22,  1887. 

BOWLES. 

Sanford^  Bowles  (Elijah^  of  Landaff),  b.  June  9, 1825  ;  m.  April 
21,  1850,  Sylvia  S.  (b.  April  21,  1820),  daughter  of  Peter  Starkey ; 
d.  June  7,  1863.  Children:  p:ddie  Sanford,  b.  Sept.  21,  1851;  d. 
March  21,  1852.  Ida  Sophia,  b.  July  2,  1853  ;  m.,  1st,  Charles  Blodg- 
ett;  2nd,  George  Laden.  Marcus  Elijah,  b.  Sept.  30,1855;  m.  Sept. 
19,  1883,  Mabel  R.  Raymond. 

BOYCE. 

Francis  R.^  Botce  (Jacob^  of  Richmond),  b.  May  26,  1831 ;  in., 
1st,  Nov.  29,  1851,  Nancy  S.  (b.  Feb.  16,  1827  ;  d.  April  6,  1861), 
daughter  of  Kendall  Fisher  of  Richmond  ;    m.,  2nd,  Lona  A.    (b. 
1839;  d.  Jan.   12,  1871),  daughter  of  Silas  White  of  Fitzwilliam; 
m.,  3d,  Mrs.  Lydia  A.  Tubbs  (b.  April  6,  1836 ;  d.  May  20,  1888), 


298  HISTORY  OF  swanzey. 

daughter  of  John  Thompson.  Children:  Elwin  F.,  b.  Feb.  17,  1S53. 
Ennna  F.,  b.  March  8,  1855,  in  Winchester;  m.  Arthur  Hastings  of 
Berlin,  Mass.     p:dgar  C,  b.  Oct.,  1856;  d.  1857. 

BRAGG. 

RoswELL  Bragg  and  his  wife  Rachel  had  children  :  Alba  M.  Lucy, 
m.  Bezaleel  Taft.  Sarah  A.,  b.  1825;  d.  July  29,  1846.  Justus 
E.,  b.  1832  ;  d.  March  11,  1852.      Willard  S. 

Alba2  M.  (liosicell^),  m.  Nov.  U,  1844,  Susan  D.  Allen  of 
Keene. 

BREED. 

John  A.^  Breed  {31oses^  of  Brattleborough,  Vt.),  b.  Feb.  28,  1824  ; 
ni.  July  26,  1846,  Lucy  (b.  Oct.  27,  1828  ;  d.  April  10,  1869),  daugh- 
ter of  P^benezerNash  of  Chesterfield.  Children  :  Lucinda  K.,  b.  July 
7,  1847;  m.  Alonzo  Lewis  of  Chesterfield.  Martha  L.,  b.  Feb.  20, 
1849  ;  m.  Timothy  Lewis  of  Chesterfield.  John  J.,  I).  May  10,  1852. 
Lucius  F.,  b.  Jul}'  7,  1854.  Henrietta  L.,  b.  June  5,  1858.  Henry 
E.,b.  Nov.  14,  1866.     Fanny  M.,  b.  April  5,  1869  ;  d.  Aug.  22,  1869. 

BREWER. 

James  Brewer  came  to  Swanzey.  He  d.  Nov.  21,  1832.  Mar}', 
bis  wife,  d.  Feb.  27,  1826,  both  buried  in  Swanzey.  Children  :  Asa, 
b.  Jul}'  24,  1767.  Persis,  b.  July  22,  1771  ;  m.  Silas  Wheeler. 
James,  b.  June  10,  1780.  Mary,  b.  Oct.  8,  1782;  m.  Charles  Jack- 
son of  Mount  Holly,  Vt.  • 

Asa-  Brewer  (James^),  b.  July  21, 1767  ;  m.  Aug.  25,  1794,  Deb- 
orah (b.  1772;  d.  Aug.  2,  1815),  daughter  of  Samuel  Sargent  of 
Marlborough.  He  d.  March  11,1836.  Children  :  Polly,  ra.  Jonathan 
Clark.  Asa.  Deborah,  m.  Calvin  Bemis.  Silas.  Betsey,  m.  Benj- 
amin Garey  of  Jaffrey.     Persis,  m.  Samuel  Cross  of  Salem,  Mass. 

SiLAS^  Brewer  {Asa,^  James'^),m,  Lovina  (d.  Feb.  1884),  daugh- 
ter of  Josiah  AYoodward.     He  d.  Nov.  27,  1880. 

bridge. 

William  Bridge  m.,  2nd,  Jan.  3, 1816,  Mrs.  Elkanah  Lane.  Child- 
ren :  Samuel,  b.  1817.    Solomon.     John.     Joseph. 


GENEALOGICAL   EECORDS.  299 


BRYANT. 

Chauncey^  Bryant  {Daniel  CA  of  Richmond,  N.  H.),h.  1795; 
m.  Harriet  (b.  1798;  d.  March  23,  1836),  daughter  of  James  Un- 
derwood. He  d.  Jan.,  1861.  Children:  James  U.  William  C. 
Eliza,  m.  Joseph  S.  Garner,  of  Gardner,  Mass. 

Calvin^  Bryant  {Daniel  C.i  of  Richmond),  m.  Feb.  27,  1812, 
Susanna  (d.  June  15,  1880),  daughter  of  Ananias  Aldrich  of  Rich- 
mond. He  d.  June  5,  1864.  Children:  Hiram,  b.  Aug.  3,  1813. 
Nathaniel,  b.  Feb.  13, 1817.  Diancy,  b.  Nov.  18, 1818  ;  ra.  John  W. 
Starkey.  Calvin,  b.  July  4,  1821.  Luther,  b.  Oct.  2,  1823  ;  d.  Dec. 
29,  1838.  Mary  Ann,  b.  Oct.  10,  1826;  m.  Samuel  Willard.  Eliza 
Ann,  b.  Dec.  1,  1828;  rn.  John  Scott.  Angela,  b.  Dec.  1,  1830;  m. 
N.  G.  Woodbury.  Alphreda,  b.  May  6,  1833  ;  m.  H.  Foster  Thayer. 
Almarinda,  b.  June  21,  1835  ;  m.  Samuel  Ball. 

HiRAM^  Bryant  {Calvin,^  Daniel  C.^  of  Richmond),  b.  Aug.  3, 
1813  ;  ra.,  1st,  March  16,  1845,  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of  Nathan  Bul- 
lock ;  m.,  2nd,  April  23, 1857,  Azubah,  daughter  of  John  Martin  ;  m., 
3d,  Mrs.  Dexter  Palmer.  Had  by  Sarah  M.  :  Henry  L.  Susan  L. 
Albert.  Had  by  Mrs.  Palmer:  Calvin.  Sarah  M.,  d.  March  9, 
1854.     Azubah,  d.  May  19,  1862. 

BRITTON. 

Reuben  Britton,  of  Westmoreland,  m.  Nancy,  daughter  of  Benja- 
min Howard  of  Mendon,  Mass.  Children :  Laura  and  Aurilla 
(twins),  b.  Oct.  10,  1797;  Laura,  m.  April  20,  1817,  Samuel  Read 
of  New  York  ;  Aurilla,  m.  Jan.  26,  1819,  Josiah  Hamblet.  Loron. 
Betsey,  m.  March  15,  1821,  Enoch  Cross.     Alfred,  b.  Oct.  15,  1806. 

Alfred^  Britton  {Reuben^  of  'Westmoreland),  b.  Oct.  15,  1806; 
m.  Oct.  11,  1829,  Alice  S.  (b.  March  12,  1811;  d.  Aug.  6,  1885), 
daughter  of  Tristan  Aldrich  ;  he  d.  April  23,  1871.  She  m.,  2nd,  Mil- 
lens  Taft  of  Mendon,  Mass.  Children  :  Loron  A.,  b.  Oct.  2,  1831  ; 
d.  1862.  Eleanor  M.,  b.  April  29,  1835  ;  m.  Rufus  Taft.  Mary  L.,  b. 
Nov.  21,  1837;  m.  Nov.  7,  1855,  Henry  C.  Earl  of  Keene.  Nancy 
A.,  b.  Sept.  17,  1840;  m.,  1st,  Sept.  19,  1855,  Harry  A.  Stoddard  of 
Brattleborough,  Vt. ;  m.,  2nd,  Oct.  30,  1872,  C.  Frank  Woodward. 
Dennison  D.,  b.  April  7,  1843  ;  d.  April  10,  1844.  Dennison  D.,  b. 
Oct.  9,  1846.  Charles  F.,  b.  June  14,  1849.  Alice  S.,  b.  July  24, 
1855  ;  d.  Jan.  5,  1872. 


300  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Dennison  D.3  Bkitton  (Alfred,'^  Reiiben^),h.  Oct.  9,  1846;  m. 
March,  1868,  Elizabeth  Waldron  of  De  Soto,  Wis.  Resides  in  Pet- 
erborough, N.  H.,  and  is  a  conductor  on  the  Monadnock  R.  R. 
Children  :  Fred  A.     Lottie  A. 

BROOKS. 

George  W.~  Brooks  (Dea.  Oren  Brooks^  of  FitzicUUam) ,  b.  INIay 
23,  1831  ;  m.  Sept.  8,  1853,  Fanny  A.  (b,  March  17,  1830),  daughter 
of  Dea.  Clark  Mason  of  Marlborough.  She  m.,  2nd,  Rev.  Enville  J. 
Emery  of  Greenville.  Child:  Grace  Estelle,  b.  Aug.  2,  1858;  d. 
Dec.  2,  1879. 

BROWN. 

Benjamin-  Brown  {Eleazer^  of  Concord,  Mass.),  b.  April  14, 1713  ; 
m.  June  22,  1741,  Submit  (b.  1719;  d.  March  14,  1805),  daughter 
of  Oliver  Ward,  of  Westborongh,  Mass.  He  d.  May  6,  1797.  Chil- 
dren :  Rhoda,  b.  Nov.  4,  1742;  m.  Mr.  Soper  of  Boscawen.  Oliver, 
b.  Nov.  G,  1743.  Hannah,  b.  Sept.  5,  1745,  in  the  fort  on  Meeting 
House  Hill ;  m.,  1st,  John  Farrer  of  Shrewsbury,  Mass. ;  m.,  2nd,  Rev. 
Joseph  Lee,  of  Royalston,  Mass.  Hephzibah,  b.  Feb.  5,  1747,  in 
Rutland,  Mass.  Eleazer,  b.  Dec.  17',  1748,  in  Rutland,  INIass.  Lucy, 
b.  Jan.  4,  1750,  in  Rutland  ;  m.,  1st,  John  Rugg;  m.,  2nd,  Mr.  Has- 
kins  of  S[)ringfield,  Vt.  Submit,  b.  Doc.  30,  1751,  in  Concord,  INIass. ; 
m.  Samuel  Jackman  of  Boscawen,  N.  H.  Simeon,  b.  July,  1756,  in 
Concord,  Mass.  Mary,  b.  A-ug.  14,  1757,  in  Concord,  Mass. ;  m.  Mr. 
Wyman,  of  Shrewsbury,  Mass.  Abigail,  b.  May  15,  1759,  in  Con- 
cord, Mass.;  m.  Dec.  11,  1781,  Nicholas  Bragg,  of  Springfield,  Vt. 
Benjamin,  b.  March  12,  1761,  in  Concord,  Mass.  Simeon,  b.  Oct. 
18,  1762,  in  Concord,  Mass. 

Eleazer^  Brown  {Benjamin,-  Eleazer'^),  b.  Dec.  17,  1748,  in  Sul- 
livan ;  m.  Lucy  Rugg.  He  d.  in  Sullivan  in  1798.  Children  :  John, 
b.  March  12,  1777;  d.  Apr.  3,  1777.  Lucy,  b.  March  22,1778;  m. 
Matthew  Niins  of  Roxbury.  Lydia,  b.  June  7,  1779.  Oliver,  b. 
June  18,  1782.     John,  b.  Feb.  29,  1788.     Cephas,  b.  Aug.  9,  1791. 

Benjamin^  Brown  {Benjamin,^  Eleazer'^),  b.  March  12,  1761  ;  m., 
1st,  Lydia  Bartlett  (d.  soon  after  marriage)  of  New  Ipswich  ;  m.,2d, 
June  3,  1802,  Sally  Stimson  (widow  of  Bemsley  Lord)  of  AYinchen- 
don,  Mass.  Children:  Lydia  Bartlett,  b.  Nov.  29,  1802;  m.  June 
10,  1829,  Rev.  Oils  AVhiting.  Maria,  b.  June  2,  1804;  m.  Oct.  8, 
1835,  Sumner  Putnam  of  Winchester.  Benjamin  B.,  b.  Dec.  31, 
1805.     Lucy,  b.  July  22,  1807.     Luther,  b.  Sept.  26,  1810. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  301 

Dea.  Timothy  Brown,  in.,  1st,  Thankful (d.  Oct.  6,  1743)  ; 

m.,  2(1,  Kezia  (d.  Sept.   15,   1744);  m.,  3d,  Feb.  27,  1745, 

widow  Hannah  Wright  (d.  Aug.  18,  1776).  He  d.  Jan.  3,  1770. 
Children:  Thankful,  bapt.  Jan.  10,  1746.  Timothy,  bapt.  Jan.  10, 
1746. 

Wright^  Brown  {Timothy^)  had:  Child  d.  March  4,  1780.  Joel, 
d,  March  21,  1780. 

Abijah  Brown  and  his  wife  Phebe  had  :  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  9, 1779  ; 
m.  Stephen  Green  of  Leicester,  Mass.  Phebe,  b.  July  14, 1781.  Sarah, 
b.  Nov.  17,  1783;  m.  Philemon  Whitcomb,  2nd.  Solomon,  b.  July, 
23,  1785.  David,  b.  May  18,  1789  ;  d.  June  1,  1789.  Brigham,  b. 
May  31,  1790.  Jenisha,  b.  March  19,  1792.  Harriet,  b.  June  21, 
1794.  Orrin,  b.  Aug.  3,  1796.  Jonathan  Hubbard,  b.  June  8,  1798  ; 
resided  where  Darius  E.  Wright  now  lives. 

David^  Brown  (Abi'jah^)  and  Lois  his  wife  had :  Belinda,  b. 
March  27,  1814.     Mary,  b.  Dec.  24,  1817. 

0rrin2  Brown  (Abijah^),  b.  Aug,  3,  1796;  m.  Dec.  25,  1817,  Me- 
hitable  Balch,  daughter  of  William  Balch. 

Jonathan  H. 2  Brown  (Abijah^),  b.  June  8,  1798;  m.  Feb.  21, 
1821,  Emma  Jones. 

Samuel  B.  Broavn,  m.  Feb.  21,  1812,  Sylvia  (b.  Sept.  21,  1792), 
daughter  of  Elijah  Belding. 

John  R.-  Brown  (Guy^  of  Stow,  Mass.),  b.  July  2,  1829  ;  m.  Nov. 
10,  1851,  Ellen  M.  (b.  Jan.  24,  1830  ;  d.  July  7,  1866),  daughter  of 
William  Sebastian  ;  d.  Aug.  9,  1863.  Children  :  Henrietta  A.,  b.  Sept. 
13,  1852  ;  d.  Dec.  12,  1853.  Henrietta  A.,  b.  June  3,  1854  ;  m.  Charles 
R.  Ballon.  Nellie  S.,  b.  Nov.  13,  1855;  m.  John  E.  Belcher  of  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.  Walter.  Annis  M.,  b.  Sept.  16, 1860  ;  m.  Russell  C. 
Hill. 

BUCKLIN. 

George  Bucklin,  of  Wallingford,  Vt.,  was  married  and  resided  there 
until  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife.  He  m.,  2nd,  Apr.  3,  1829, 
Mary  (b.  Aug.  30,  1806;  d.  Oct.  1,  1849),  daughter  of  Joel  Mellen; 
m.,  3d,  about  1850,  Althusa  Winch  (d.  in  the  West),  of  Troy.  After 
the  third  wife's  death  in  the  West,  he  married  once  or  twice  more  there. 
21 


302  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Children:  Darius,  b.  1826.  Horace,  b.  1827.  An  infant,  d.  1828. 
George  F.,  b.  1830.  A  child,  b.  1831.  Harvey,  b.  1832  ;  d.  a  young 
man.  Elizabeth,  b.  1833  ;  m.  Edmund  Smitij ;  d.  ISept.  9,  1852.  Dolly, 
b.  1835  ;  m.  Alouzo  INIason  ;  d.  May  8,  1(S52.  Sarah  Jane,  b.  1836  ; 
d.  Aug.  4,  1851.  Lydia  A.,  b.  1839  ;  d.  Feb.  12,  1854.  Adelia,  b. 
1842  ;  d.  Feb.  16,  1845.  Hiram,  b.  1843  ;  d.  young.  Nathaniel,  b. 
1845;  d.  Dec.  20,  1852. 

George  F.^  Bucklin  (George^),  b.  1830;  m.  Esther  Jane  (b. 
March  17,  1836),  daughter  of  Allen  Hammond.     Child  :  Edgar. 

BUCKMAN. 

Asa  Buckman,  m.  July  23,  1811,  Mar}'  Franklin. 

BDFFUM. 

EsEK''  BuFFUM  (Jame.9,3  EseJc,^  Jedediah^  of  Richmond),  b.  June 
14,  1829;  m.  Nov.  19,  1863,  Emily  Frances  (b.  Feb.  14,  1845;  d. 
Dec.  12,  1881)  ;  d.  June  3,  1882. 

buixard. 
Fisher^  Bollard  (Elisha,^  EUsha,'^-MaIachi,'^  Benjamin,'^  Bevja- 
viin^  of  Uxhridge,  3Iass.),  b.  March  24,  1782;  m.  April,  1805,  Rho- 
da  Clark  (d.  Jan.  7,  1865),  of  Sharon,  Mass. ;  d.  March  4,  1866. 
Children:  Mary,  b.  Jan.  22,  1806;  d.  Dec.  24,  1809.  Selina,  b. 
Dec.  7,  1807;  d.  June  6,  1814.  Lewis  Clark,  b.  Oct.  6,  1809;  d. 
Aug.  19,  1884,  in  Sharon,  Mass.  Elijah,  b.  Aug.,  1811.  Rhoda,  b. 
May  4,  1815;  m.  Roswell  Whitcomb.  Susan,  b.  Apr.  28,  1816;  m., 
1st,  Silas  Parsons ;  m.,  2nd,  Levi  Davis  of  Acworth.  Mary  Ann,  b. 
June  25,  1818;  d.  July  17,  1832.  Marcus,  b.  Nov.  10,  1820.  Edwin 
Mason,  b.  March  30,  1823. 

Elijah'^  Bullard  {Fishe7\^  EUsha,^  Elitiha,'*  Mcdachi,^  Benjamin,^ 
Beitjamin^  of  Uxhridge,  3Iass.),  b.  Aug.  15,  1811  ;  m.  April  7,  1856, 
Mehita  (b.  Jan.  28, 1817),  daughter  of  Nathan  Bullock  of  Richmond  ; 
d.  Dec.  11,  1862. 

Marcus'''  Bullard  {Fisher,^  ElisJia,^  Elisha,'^  Malachi,^  Bevjamin,^ 
Benjamin^),  b.  Nov.  10,  1820;  m.  Dec.  12,  1847,  Elizabeth  A.  (b. 
Sept.  2,  1826  ;  d.  Nov.  21,  1887),  daughter  of  Silas  Jillson  of  Rich- 
mond. Children:  Edward  M.,  b.  Oct.  18,  1848.  Emily  A.,  b.  June 
2,  1851  ;  m.  J.  H.  Howard  of  Hatfield,  Mass.  Palmer  J.,  b.  April  30, 
1855.  Ervin  M.,  b.  Nov.  11,  1858.  Herbert  Francis,  b.  June  14, 
1862. 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  303 

Edwin  MJ  Bollard  {Ftsher,^  Elisha,^  EUsJia,'^  Malachi,^  Benja- 
min,^ Benjamin^),  h.  March  30,  1823  ;  m.  Nov.,  1849,  Sarah  (d.  Aug. 
20,  1876),  daughter  of  Thomas  Marble,  of  Winchester.  Children: 
Wallace  Justin,  b.  Sept.  22,  1856;  d.  May  4,  1861.  Jesse  E.,  b. 
Sept.  13,  1862  ;  d.  iu  Michigan  ;    lives  in  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

Edward  M.^  Bullard  (Marctis,''  Fisher,^  Elisha,^  Elislia,^  Mala- 
cJii,^  Benjamin^'^  Benjamin^),  b.  Oct.  18,  1848;  m.  Lizzie  R.  Blanch- 
ai-d  of  Concord,  June  27,  1872  ;  d.  Dec.  10,  1873  ;  m.,  2nd,  H.  Cora, 
Dec.  23,  1877,  daughter  of  Francis  Phillips  of  Keene.  Children:  Wal- 
ter E.,  b.  Dec  8,  1873.  Helen  P.,  b.  Sept.  14,  1878.  Arthur  H.,  b. 
April  9,  1883. 

Elmer  J.^  Bullard  {Marcus,^  Fisher ^'^  Elisha/'  Elisha,'^  Malaclii.,^ 
Benjamin,'^  Bevjawin^),  b.  April  30, 1855  ;  m.  Aug.  15,  1875,  Ida  E., 
(b.  May  30, 1857), daughter  of  Edwin  Hill.  Children:  Marcus  E., 
b.  Aug.  14,  1877.     Myron  H.,  b.  July  8,  1880. 

Ervin  M.s  Bullard  (3farcus,''  Fisher,^  Elisha,^  Elisha,'^  Malachi,^ 
Benjamin,^  Bevjmnin^),  b.  Nov.  11,  1858;  m.  March  16,  1879,  Lu- 
ella,  daughter  of  Roswell  Stowell.  Children:  John  P>vin,  b.  May 
10,  1880.     Mary  Emma,  b.  Oct.  3,  1881.     Blanche  Susan,  b.  Dec. 

29,  1882.     Bertha  J.,  b.  April  9,  1884.     Ressie  Juliette,  b.  Dec.  2, 
1885. 

Hehbert  F.^  Bullard  (Marcus,'^  Fisher,^  ElisJia,^  Elisha,^  Mala- 
chij^  Beujamin,-  Benjamin^),  b.  June  14,  1862;  m.  March  1,  1883, 
Louise  Frances  Alzingi-e  (b.  Dec.  6,  1857).  Child:  Barbara  Emma, 
b.  Jan.  26,  1889. 

bullock. 

Cabs'*  Bullock  (Cass,^  Jeremiah,^  Christopher^  of  Richmond),  b. 
Sept.  3,  1803;  m.  Candace  (b.  April  1,  1805),  daughter  of  Martin 
Ellis,  of  Richmond;  d.  Sept.  22,  1875.  Child:  EmmaE.,  b.  Sept.  8, 
1835  ;  m.  Andrew  B.  Cook. 

bump. 
Jacob  Bump,  b.  1738,  in  Mendon,  Mass.  ;  m.  Sept.  29,  1760,  Di- 
nah Slew  (b.  1741  ;  d.  Nov.  25,  1818  in  Richmond),  of  Smithfield, 
R.  I.  ;  d.  Sept.  17,  1829,  in  Richmond.     Children:  Stephen,  b.  Jan. 

30,  1761.     Asa,  b.  Jan.  29,  1763.     Laban,  b.  Aug.  29,  1765.     La- 
vina,  b.  May,  1767  ;  m.,  1st,  Richard  Sweet ;  m.,  2nd,  Nathan  Bowen. 


304  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Wanton,  b.  July  9,  1769.  Ehoda,  b.  Apr.  25,  1771  ;  m.,  1st,  Jacob 
Boyce;  m.,  2nd,  Philemon  Parker.  Elizabeth,  b.  May  3,  1775;  m. 
David  Martin.  Barnet,  b.  June  27,  1779.  Jacob,  b.  May  12,  1783. 
Sylvia. 

BURKE. 

Patrick  Burke,  b.  in  Ireland,  1824  ;  m.  Feb.  10,  1855,  Joanna  To- 
biu  (b.  1833),  in  Royalston,  Mass. ;  d.  Dec.  22,  1885.  Children: 
John,  b.  Nov.  23,  1855.  Michael,  b.  Apr.  6,  1857.  Mary,  b.  March 
26,  1859.  Maggie,  b.  Feb.  20,  1861.  Ellen,  b.  Apr.  6,  1863  ;  d.  in 
July,  1865.  Jennie,  b.  March  6,1865.  Annie,  b.  Feb.  22,,  1868  ;  m. 
Herbert  A.  Foster.  Nellie,  b.  March  5,  1870  ;  m.  June  6, 1888,  Frank 
H.  Taft. 

Michael^  Burke  (Patrick^),  b.  Apr.  6,  1857;  m.  Sept.  7,  1881, 
Julia  E.  (b.  Aug.  10,  1862),  daughter  of  Henry  W.  Leonard.  Chil- 
dren :    Lee  W.,  b.  June  22,  1882.    Clayton  Lester,  b.  Sept.  17, 1888. 

BURNHAM. 

Charles  Burnham  m.  Sarah  C.  Johnson  (b.  May  3,  1825).  Chil- 
dren:  C.  Allen,  b.  Aug.  13,  1848.  Henrietta  E.,  b.  July  23,  1850. 
George  W.,  b.  Nov.  11,  1852.  Mary  C,  b.  Dec.  9,  1854;  m.  John 
S.  Rice.  Leonard  H.,  b.  Feb.  13,  1858.  Lizzie  E.,  b.  Aug.  3,  1861. 
Edna  R.,  b.  July  11,  1864..    Frank  W.,  b.  Oct.  12,  1869. 

BYAM. 

Benjamin  Willard-  Byam  {Benjamin}  of  Fitzioilliam) ,  b.  Feb.  21, 
1826;  m.  March  17,  1853,  Martha  A.  (b.  Aug.  28,  1832;  d.  Aug.  18, 
1887),  daughter  of  Joel  Saunders  of  Keene,  N.  H.  Children:  Clara 
N.,  b.  March  18, 1854  ;  d.  April  7, 1854.  Herbert,  b.  Aug.  13,  1855  ; 
d.  Aug.  14,  1855.  Edgar,  b.  July  5,  1856  ;  d.  July  6, 1856.  Milton, 
b.  June  26,  1857  ;  d.  June  27,  1857.  Oscar  L.,  b.  June  14,  1858.  All 
born  in  Fitzwilliam.  Walter  H.,  b.  Dec.  24,  1859  ;  d.  Sept.  26,  1860. 
Madella,  b.  Sept.  14,  1861.  Fred  H.,b.  March  8,  1864;  d.  Jan.  13, 
1866.  Frank  L.,  b.  Sept.  12,  1865;  d.  Sept.  12,  1866.  Eddie,  b. 
June  22,  1868  ;  ,d.  July  28,  1868.     Willie  A.,  b.  May  12,  1870. 

calkins. 
William  H.  Calkins,  b.  Aug.  13,  1813;  m.  Sept.  16,  1835,  Eliza 
S.  (b.  Oct.  25,  1817)  daughter  of  Joseph  Hill;  he  died  Oct.  9,  1841. 
Children  :  William  H.,  b.  March  8,  1837,  in  Winchester.    Mary  E.,  b. 
Dec.  9,  1838;  d.  Nov.  13,  1840.     Lorenzo  W.,  b.  Nov.  1,  1840. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  305 

William  H.^  Calkins  (William  H.^),  h.  March  8,  1837;  m.,  1st, 
Nov.,  1864,  Emeline  Morey  (d.  1873)  ;  m.,  2ud,  Feb.  7,  1874,  Ellen 
A.  Pratt.  Children  :  WilUam  H.,  b.  Feb.  28,  1868.  Edward  F.,  b. 
May  22,  1870,  in  Winchester.  Nahum,  b.  April  1,  1872.  Katy  Belle, 
b.  Oct.  20,  1873  ;  d.  March  25,  1874.  Christie  C,  b.  April  6,  1876. 
Irez  L.,  b.  Oct.  14,  1878.  Charles,  b.  June  30,  1880.  Addie  J.,  b. 
March  15,  1884  ;  d.  Sept  22,  1884.  Horace,  b.  April  11,  1886.  Roy, 
b.  Sept.  8,  1888. 

Lorenzo  W.- Calkins  (William  ^.i),  b.  Nov.  1,  1840;  m.  Jan. 
14,  1860,  Ruth  A.  Stephens.  Children  :  Forest  H.,  b.  Feb.  23,  1861  ; 
d.  Nov.  14,  1862.  Lizzie  E.,  b.  Oct.  23,  1865;  d.  Jan.  28,  1886. 
Edward  L.,  b.  March  16,  1868 ;  d.  Apr.  20,  1868.  DoraM.,  b.  July 
16,  1869;  d.  Nov.  21,  1886.  Gertie  C,  b.  Oct.  6,  1872;  d.  March 
2,  1890.  Eugenia  I.,  b.  April  23,  1874.  Children  all  born  in  Win- 
chester. 

CAPRON. 

Oliver^  Cai'ron  (Banjield^  of  Cumberland),  h.  July  1,  1736;  d. 
1816.  Children  :  Nathan,  b.  Apr.  24,  1758.  Otis.  Thaddeus,  b. 
Dec.  6,  1764.  Hannah,  b.  Apr.  6,  1767.  Alpheus,  b.  July  21,  1770. 
Elizabeth.     Oliver. 

Nathan^  Capron  (Oliver,'^  Banfield^),  b.  Apr.  24,  1758  ;  m.  Apr.  2, 
1783,  Dorothy  (b.  March  23,  1765;  d.  May  2,  1825),  daughter  of 
Jonathan Whitcomb.  Children:  Dorothy,  b.  Aug.  19,  1783.  Anna, 
b.  Sept.  1,  1785.  Betsey,  b.  Jan.  30,  1788.  Damaris,  b.  June  3, 
1791.     Jonathan  W.,  b.  Jan.  29,  1804. 

Otis^  Capron  (Olioer,^  BanfiekU),  m.,  1st,  Judith  Gale;  m.,  2nd, 
Polly  King.  Children  by  first  wife:  Alpha.  Luther  M.  Polly. 
Edmund.  Martha.  By  second  wife :  Gilbert.  Sarah.  Judith,  b. 
Dec.  13,  1801 ;  m.  Nicholas  Cook  of  Richmond. 

Alpheus^  Capron  (Oliver,^  Banfield^),  b.  July  21,  1770;  d.  1822; 
m.  Sept.  17,  1809,  Lucy  (b.  1781;  d.  1866),  daughter  of  Pentecost 
Stanley.  Children  :  Elon,  b.  June  18,  1810.  Irene,  b.  1812.  Al- 
mena,  b.  1814. 

Oliver^  Capron  (Oliver,^  Bavjield^),  b.  Dec.  11,  1791 ;  m.  March 
29,  1816,  Lois  (b.  Apr.  9,  1794;  d.  Aug.  31,  1852),  daughter  of  Abel 
Wilson ;  he  d.  March  4,  1875.    Children :  Adeline,  b.  Oct.  8,  1818  ;  d. 


306  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Nov.  6,  1836.  Lucy,  b.  Nov.  29, 1819 ;  d.  Sept.,  1824.  Hannah  S., 
b.  Sept.  14,  1821 ;  d.  Oct.  20,  1843.  Augusta  W.,  b.  July  16,  1823 ; 
ni.  Frankliu  Whcelock  of  Winchester;  d.  Feb.  6,  1874.  Lucy,  b. 
Apr.  14,  1826  ;  m.  Oliver  S.  Lakiu  of  Springfield,  Mass.  ;  d.  Aug.  25, 
1887.  Alzina,  b.  May  26,  1828;  d.  Aug.  12,  1851.  Sarah  W.,  b. 
Aug.  17,  1830;  d.  Oct.  12,  1833.  Martiia  A.,  b.  Apr.  18,  1833; 
d.  May  22,  1850.     George  0.,  b.  May  4,  1835. 

Jonathan  W."*  Capron  (JS^athan,^  Oliver,^  BanfieW),  b.  Jan.  29, 
1804;  ni.,  1st,  1833,  Susan  (b.  March  9,  1815;  d.  Sept.  18,  1837), 
daughter  of  John  Strattou ;  in,,  2nd,  May  10,  1838,  Belinda  B.  (b. 
March  11,  1815),  daughter  of  Dr.  Henry  Baxter.  He  d.  March  14, 
1878.  Children  :  Helen  S.,  h.  Dec,  1835  ;  d.  May,  1837.  Henry  W., 
b.  Feb.  11,  1845.  John  W.,  b.  June  24,  1847;  d.  Jan.  10,  1803. 
Charles  H.,  b.  Dec.  11,  1853;  d.  Jan.  17,  1863. 

George  O.^  Capron  (Oliver,^  Oliver,"  BanJiekV),  b.  ]\Lay  4,  1835 ; 
m.,  1st,  Nov.  5,  1856,  Roselle  B.  Francis  (b.  Oct.  9,  1836),  of  New- 
ington.  Conn.  Children  :  Carroll  F.,  b.  Jan.  29,  1860.  Oliver  W.,  b. 
June  11,  1862.     Annie  L.,  b.  April  25,  1872.     Lyle  H.,  b.  Oct.  30, 

1876. 

Henry  W.5  Capron  {Jonathan  W.,'^  Natltan,^  Oliver,^  BanJielcU), 
b.  Feb.  11,  1845;  m.  Dec.  22,  1881,  Ida  M.  (b.  Sept.  24.  1858), 
daughter  of  Rufus  Taft.  Children:  Earl,  li.  July  5,  1884.  Clyde,  b. 
July  23,  1889 ;  d.  Oct.  1,  1890. 

Carroll  F.^  Capron  {George  0.,"*  Oliver,'^  Oliver,-  BauJieW),  b. 
Jan.  29,  1800  ;  m.  Oct.  8,  1885,  May  F.,  daughter  of  Arvin  Aldrich  of 
Westmoreland ;  reside  in  Westmoreland. 

Oliver  W.^  Capron  {George  0.,^  Oliver,^  Oliver,'^  Banfield^),  b. 
June  11,  1862;  m.  Mrs.  Fanny  B.  Beverstock  (d.  Oct.  19,  1890), 
daughter  of  Philip  D.  Angler. 

CARLTON. 

Philip  P.2  Carlton  {David}  of  Hancock),  b.  Sept.  4,  1814;  m. 
Sept.  4,  1837,  Olive  M.  (b.  April  11,  1812  ;  d.  Aug.  17, 1890),  daugh- 
ter of  Solomon  Matthews.  He  d.  Feb.  26,  1890.  Child  :  Harvey 
W.,  b.  Aug.  22,  1844. 

Harvey  W.3  Carlton  {Philip  P.,2  DavicU),  b.  Aug.  22,  1844;  m. 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  307 

Nov.  25,  1S68,  Lucretia  Auu  (b.  May  19,  1846),  daughter  of  Chiron 
Holbrook.  Children:  Eva,  b.  Feb.  22,  1873.  Katie  L.,  b.  March 
10,  1874.     Mark  H.,  b.  July  14,   1876.     Charles,  b.  Dec.  29,  1882. 

CARPENTER. 

William^  Carpenter,  b.  in  England  1576,  came  to  America  in  1638, 
settled  in  "NYeymouth,  Mass.,  and  later  returned  to  P^ngland.  His  son, 
WilUam^^  b.  1605,  Avith  wife  Abigail  and  four  sons,  came  and  settled 
in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  in  1638,  with  his  father.  William,^  b.  1631,  came 
with  his  father  and  grandfather;  m.,  1st,  Priscilla  Bonet  and  had  four 
children;  m.,  2nd,  Marriam  Saile ;  he  d.  Jan.  26,  1703.  Nathaniel,* 
b.  May  4,  1667;  m.,  1st,  Rachel  Cooper  (d.  July  9,  1694)  ;  m.,  2d, 
Mary  Preston;  m.,  3rd,  Mary  Cooper. 

EzRA^  Carpenter  {Nathaniel,^  WiUia^n,^  William,'^  William^  of 
England),  b.  March  20,  1698  ;  m.  Nov.  28,  1723,  Elizabeth  (b.  April 
5,  1704,  at  Rehoboth  ;  d.  March  19,  1766),  daughter  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Greenwood  ;  he  d.  Aug.  26,  1785,  at  Walpole,  N.  H.  Children  :  Eliz- 
abeth, b.  Jan.  13,  1724,  at  Hull,  Mass.;  m.  Samuel  Trott  of  Wal- 
pole, N.  H. ;  d.  Sept.  20,  1796.  p:iijah,  b.  Oct.  26,  1727,  at  Hull ;  d. 
Oct.  7,  1755,  in  Swanzey.  Theodocia,  b.  June  6,  1730  ;  m.  Mr.  Bax- 
ter of  Boston,  Mass.  ;  d.  Aug.  14,  1756.  Greenwood,  b.  March  31, 
1733.  Preston,  b.  March  17,  1736  ;  d.  April  5,  1736.  Olive,  b. 
July  24,  1738  ;  d.  June  30,  1755,  in  Swanzey.  Content,  b.  Sept.  6, 
1740;  m.  John  Kilboru,  of  Walpole;  d.  Oct.  22,  1810,  in  Shrews- 
bury, Vt.  Rachel,  b.  in  Hull,  May  12,  1743  ;  m.  Dr.  David  Taylor, 
of  Charlestown,  N.  H.  ;  d.  March  30,  1796. 

Greenwood^  Carpenter  {Ezra,^  NatJianiel,'^  William,^  William,^ 
William^),  b.  March  31,  1733,  in  Hull,  Mass.  ;  m.,  1st,  1752,  Sarah 
Leathers  of  Charlestown,  Mass.  ;-m.,  2nd,  Susan  (bapt.  July  28, 
1745),  daughter  of  Jonathan  Hammond,  of  Swanzey;  d.  in  Swanzey 
Feb.  3,1809.  Children  :  William,  b.  at  Charlestown,  Mass.  Betsey,  b. 
at  Charlestown;  m.  Sylvanus  Hastings  of  Charlestown,  N.  H. ;  d.  in 
Lashute,  Canada  East.  Olive,  m.  Joseph  Barrows  (b.  in  Charles- 
town, Mass.  ;  d.  in  Ohio)  of  Walpole,  N.  H.  Children  by  second 
wife  :  Theodocia,  b.  Oct.  24, 1774,  at  Swanzey  ;  m.  Dr.  John  Jackson, 
of  Lebanon,  N.  H.  ;  d.  in  Swanzey,  Aug.  7, 1822.  Hastings,  b.  March 
22,  1776.  Abigail,  b.  Oct.  7,  1777;  m.  Eben  Hubbard,  of  Glaston- 
bury, Conn. ;  d.  March  5,  1839,  in  Fulton,  N.  Y.  Elijah,  b.  Dec.  23, 
1779.     Consider,  b.   Feb.  19,  1781.     Dan.,  b.  Oct.  26,  1782.     Ezra, 


308  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

b.  Oct.  26,  1784.  Susan,  b.  Sept.  10,  1786.  Sophrouia,  b.  Nov.  29, 
1788  ;  d.  Apr.  18,  1810.  Prestou,  b.  March  3,  1792  ;  d.  Sept.  5, 1814, 
iu  Genesee,  N.  Y. 

William''  Carpenter  {Greenwood,^  Ezra,^  Nathaniel,^  William,^ 
William,-  William^) ,  b.  in  Cbarlestovvn,  Mass.,  and  Lucinda  his  wife 
had :  Guy,  b.  May  7,  1782. 

Hastings'''  Carpenter  {Greemvood,^  Ezra,^  Nathaniel,'^  WiUiayn,^ 
William,-  William^),  h.  March  22, 1776  ;  ui.  Maria  Ilooppole  of  Schen- 
ectady, N.  Y. ;  he  d.  iu  Canada,  March  1,  1815. 

Elijah'^  Carpenter  {Greemoood,^  Ezra,^  Nathaniel,'^  William,^ 
William,^  William^),  b.  Dec.  23,  1779  ;  m.  Dec.  11,  1815,  Fanny  (b. 
Nov.  1,  1787;  d.  March  10,  1876,  at  Algona,  Iowa),  daughter  of 
Amariah  Partridge  of  Cliesterfield.  He  d.  Oct.  24,  1861.  Chikh'en: 
Thankful,  b.  Feb.  14,  1817;  m.,  1st,  Sept.  23,  1841,  Joshua  A\^yinau 
of  Keene  ;  m.,  2nd,  Zebina  Knights.  Harriet  R.,  b.  Ma}'  4,  1819; 
ni.  Nathan  Watkins  of  Walpole.  Julia  Ann,  b.  May  15,  1823;  ra. 
May  18,  1850,  Cyrel  Aldrich.  Elizak'th  G.,  b.  Dec.  20,  1825. 
George,  b.  Sept.  13,  1828.  Elijah  Preston,  b.  April  10,  1831  ;  d.  iu 
Keene,  Oct.  3lJ  1872. 

Consider'''  Carpenter  {Greenicood,^  Ezra,^  Nathaniel,^  William,^ 
William,^  Wdliam^),  b.  Feb.  19,  1781  ;  in.,  1st,  May  17,  1812,  Thank- 
ful (b.  Nov.  4,  1782  ;  d.  March  26,  1815),  daughter  of  Elijah  Belding  ; 
m.,  2nd,  March  31,  1818,  Fanny,  daughter  of  John  Leonard;  he  d. 
Dec.  31,  1857.  Children  :  Ezra,  b.  Feb.  25,  1813  ;  d.  May  19, 1861. 
Thankful  Belding,  b.  March  2,  1815;  ni.  June  6,  1836,  Elbridge  Fos- 
gate  of  Atliol,  Mass.  Hastings,  b.  March  1,  1819.  F'anny  Ann,  b. 
Sept.  15,  1821  ;  m.  Dec.  1,  1840,  Lyman  Gates  of  Sullivan;  d.  Feb. 
7, 1853,  at  Glens  Falls,  N.  Y.  p:ber  H.,  b.  Jan.  22,  1824.  John  L., 
b.  Jan.  11,  1827  ;  lives  in  Richmond. 

Thankful  Gunn^  Carpenter  {Elijah,''  Greenvjood,^  Ezra,^  Nathan- 
iel,^ William,'^  William,^  William^),  b.  Feb.  14,  1817;  ui.,  1st,  Sept. 
23,  1841,  Joshua  Wymau  of  Keene  (b.  Oct.  IS,  1800;  d.  Dec. 
29,  1858);  m.,  2nd,  Zebina  Knight.  Children:  Emily  Frances,  b. 
at  Keene,  Feb.  14,  1845;  m.  Nov.  19,  1863,  Esek  Buffum  of  Rich- 
mond ;  d.  Dec.  12,  1H81,  in  Chicago,  III.  He  d.  June  24,  1882,  in 
Chicago.     Henry  Joshua,  b.    Nov.    23,    1849 ;  m.  March  25,  1880, 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  309 

Katie  C.  of  Hastings,  Neb.     George  C,  b.  Nov.  14,  1853  ;   d.  Sept. 
18,  1856.  , 

Harriet  Ross^  Carpenter  {Elijah'',  Greenwood,^  Ezra,^  NatJian- 
ieW^  William,^  WilUam,^  William^),  b.  May  4,  1819  ;  m.  Aug.  29, 
1837,  Nathan  Watkins  of  Walpole  (b.  Feb.  11,  1813;  d.  April  4, 
1850,  in  California).  Children  :  AVdliam  Elijah,  b.  Jan.  22,  1839,  in 
Hinsdale;  m.  Jan.  8,  18G8,  Mary  Ball  of  Montague,  Mass.  Ella 
Madora,  b.  Oct.  19,  1842,  at  Hinsdale;  m.  Feb.  11,  1868,  Oliver  H. 
Phelps  of  Spring  Prairie,  Wis. 

Elizabeth  Greenwood^  Carpenter  (Elijah,''  Greenioood,^  Ezra,^ 
Nathaniel,^  Williavi,^  William,^  William^),  h.  Dec.  20,  1825; 
ni.  Oct.  26,  1843,  Dennis  Hubbard  (b.  April  15,  1815;  d.  Jan.  11, 
1878,  in  Springfield,  Mass.),  of  Middletown,  Conn. ;  she  d.  Sept.  7, 
1855,  in  Springfield,  Mass.  Children  :  George  Walton,  b.  in  Keene, 
Sept.  17,  1844.  Elijah  C.,b.  in  Keene,  Nov.  8,  1846.  Julia  F.,  b.  in 
Swanzey,  Dec.  28,  1848. 

George^  Carpenter  (Elijah,"^  Oreemvood,^  Ezra,^  Nathaniel,'^  Wil- 
liam,^ William,^  William^),  h.  Sept.  13,  1828;  m.  June  14,  1864, 
Lucy  Jane  (b.  March  9,  1834),  daughter  of  Carter  Whitcomb. 

Hastings^  Carpenter  (Consider,''  Greenwood,^  Ezra,^  Nathaniel,* 
William,^  William,^  William^)  b.  March  1,  1819;  m.  Sept.  14,  1847, 
Keziah  W.  (b.  Jan.  1,  1829),  daughter  of  Jotham  Eames ;  he  d.  Feb. 
10,  1851. 

Eber  H.8  Carpenter  (Consider,''  Greenivood,^  Ezra,^  Nathaniel,'^ 
William,^  WiUium,'^  William^),  b.  Jan.  22,  1824;  ra.  Oct.  23,  1844, 
Mary  A.  Brighara  of  Erving,  Mass.  ;  lives  in  Northfield,  Mass. 

John  L.^  Carpenter  (Consider,''  Greemvood,^  Ezra,^  Nathaniel,'* 
William,^  Witlia^n,^  William^),  b.  Jan.  11,  1827;  m.  Oct.,  1875,  Al- 
freda  (Martin)  Fisher. 

Thojias  Carpenter,  ra.  July  16,  1797,  Abigail  Brown. 

Lewis  Carpenter  was  inn-keeper  at  Swanze}-  Factory  ;  taxed  in 
1850  and  1851. 

CARR. 

William  Carr,   m.  Mary .     Children  :  Sarah,  d.  Sept.  30, 

1744.  Mercy,  d.  Oct.  3,  1744.  Abner,  d.  Oct.  17,  1744.  Mary, 
bapt.  Sept.  4,  1743  ;  d.  Oct.  17,  1744.  Mary,  bapt.  Nov.  18,  1744; 
d.  Sept.  9,  1746.     Rlioda,  b.  about  1746  ;  m.  Elijah  Belding. 


310  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

CARTER. 

Rev.  Thomas^  Carter  emigrated   to  Woburn,  Mass. 

Rev.  Samuel-  Carter  {Rev.  Thomas^),  b.  Aug.  9,1640;  d.  in 
Groton,  Mass.  ;  had  nine  children,  of  wlioni  tlie  sixth  was  Thomas, ^ 
b.  April  3,  1682  ;  d.  March  21,  1737.  He  had  ten  cliildren,  of  whom 
the  third  was  Col.  John,"*  b.  April  23,  1713  ;  m.  Abigail  Joslin  of  Lan- 
caster; he  d.  May  8,  1766.  Their  fourth  son  was  Joseph,^  b.  Nov. 
17,  1745;  came  to  Fitzwilliam,  1803.  Had  Joseph,''  b.  April  19, 
1777  ;  m.  Nov.  28,  1802  ;  d.  Sept.  14,  1822.  Had  a  son  Ebenezer,' 
b.  May  20,  1803;  m.  Jan.  31,  1833,  Clarissa,  daughter  of  Ebenezer 
Colburn  of  Rindge;  d.  Maich  21,  1871.  Children,  all  born  in  Fitz- 
william: Elizal)eth  G.,*^  b.  Nov.  11,  1833;  d.  Oct.  1,  1847.  Eben 
C,  b.  Dec.  2,  1835;  d.  Sept.  25,  1837.  Margaret  F.,  b.  Feb.  22, 
1838;  d.  Dec.  16,  1842.  Henrietta  C,  b.  Oct.  9,  1840;  d.  April  6, 
1875.     Martha  F.,  b.  March  12,  1843;  m.  John  M.  Fiske. 

Herbert  E.^  Carter  (Ebenezer,''  Josej)7i,^  Joseph,^  John,'^  TJiom- 
«.9,3  Samuel,-  Thomas^  of  Wobnrv,  Mass.),  b.  Sept.  9,  1845  ;  m.  Ai)ril 
22,  1873,  Nancie  A.,  daughter  of  John  Wheeler  of  Ashby.  Child  :  Her- 
bert A.,  b.  July  10,  1874. 

NoRRis  C.^  Carter  {Ebenezer,'^  Joseph,^  Joseph,-'  John,^  TJioynas,^ 
Samuel,^  Tliomas^),h.  Aug.  26,  1848;  m.  Feb.  23,  1871,  Mary  T. 
(b.  Sept.  8,  1852),  daughter  of  Daniel  Greenleaf.  Children:  Flor. 
ence  M.,  b.  March  8,  1872;  m.  Edgar  C.  Emery.  Lillian  M.,  b. 
Oct.  21,  1883. 

Fred  A.  Carter,  b.  Oct.,  1856;  m.  Sept.  21,  1881,  Lora  E.  (b. 
Sept.  29,  1860),  daughter  of  Luther  Alexander.  Children:  Lora  E., 
b.  April  19,  1883.     Bernice  L.,  b.  Feb.  6,  1887. 

CASS.  4 

JosiAH  B.2  Cass  {Marti'n}  of  Richmond),  h.  March  19,  1810;  m. 
March  27,  1831,  Eliza  S.  (b.  Feb.  23,  1810),  daughter  of  Gi<leon 
Willis;  d.  July  4,  1866.  Children:  F.  Brigham,  b.  Feb.  21,  1832. 
George  H.,  b.  Dec.  23,  1833.  Harriet  M.,  b,  Dec.  25,  1835;  m. 
Luke  Ellor.  Nancy  L.,  b.  April  17,  1837;  d.  May  6,  1852.  Ellen 
E.,  b.  Oct.  19,  1841  ;  d.  Aug.  30,  1860. 

F.  Brigham^  Cass  (Josiah  B.,~  Martin^  of  Richmond) ,  b.  Fe^).  21, 
1832  ;  m.   Cynthia  L.,  b.  Nov.  29,  1837,  daughter  of  Jesse  Bolles  of 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  311 

Richmond,     Children:  Addie  E.,  m.  A.  TV.  Dickinson.  Henry.  Liz- 
zie; lives  in  Lunenburg,  Mass. 

George  H.  Cass  (Josiah  B.,'^  Martin^)  ^  b.  Dec.  31, 1833  ;  m.  April 
7,  1853,  Helen  A.  Cole  of  Stockholm,  N.  Y.  Children  :  Clarence  E., 
b.  Oct.  7,  1854,  in  111. ;  d.  May  13,  1859.  Maria  E.,  b.  March  15, 
1861 ;  d.  Dec.  21,  1865.  Alice  L,  b.  Oct.  9, 1862  ;  m.  Nov.  11,  1882, 
Ned  E.  Purington.  Ellen  E.,  b.  June  8,  1864;  m.  Sept.  26,  1888, 
Byron  F.  Purington.    Francis  B.,  b.  June  22,  1872,  in  Erving,  Mass. 

CHAMBERLAIN. 

JoHN^  Chamberlain  (Elisha^  of  FitcJiburg,  3Iass.),  b.  Sept.  10, 
1795;  m.,  1st,  March  18,  1820,  Nancy  Stone  (b.  May  8,  1798;  d. 
June  11,  1822)  ;  m.,  2nd,  Sept.  25, 1822,  Olive  H.  Wyman  (b.  March 

18,  1792;  d.  Apr.  14,  1826)  ;  m.,  3d, 12,  1826,  Sylvia  Perry 

(b.  Sept.  14,  1797;  d.  Oct.  28,  1852)  ;  m.,4th,  Feb.,7, 1854,  Harriet, 
daughter  of  Jacob  "Ware  of  Winchester.  He  d.  Aug.  28,  1870.  Chil- 
dren :  Nancy  S.,  b.  Oct.  22,  1820;  m.  Franklin  Holman  ;  d.  Oct.  22, 
1845.  Martha  W.,  b.  July  7,  1823;  ra.  a  Mr.  Austin  of  Newton, 
Mass.  AVilliam,  b.  Apr.  9,  1826;  d.  Apr.  15,1826.  Olive  XL,  b. 
Sept.  9,  1827;  m.  Albert  N.  Chase  of  Worcester.  Mass.  John  E.^ 
b.  Nov.  29,  1830  ;  d.  Aug.  19,  1849.  Sylvia,  b.  March  11,  1832  ;  d. 
March  28,  1832.  William  P.,  b.  June  2,  1833.  Sylvia  A.,  b.  Oct.  5, 
1835  ;  111.,  1st,  Albert  Erastus  Briggs  ;  2nd,  Otis  B.  Wheeler,  of  Whit- 
ingham,  Vt.  Sarah  J.,  b.  Sept.  5,  1837;  m.  Pearl  P.  Briggs.  Ed- 
mund H.,  b.  Oct.  18,  1840.  Flora  E.,  b.  Jan.  9,  1855  ;  m.  George  F. 
Newell.-    Herbert  R.,  b.  Dec.  28,  1856.     John  S.,  b.  Jan.,  1864. 

William  P.^  Chamberlain  (JoJin,^  Elisha^  of  Fitchburg,  3fass.), 
b.  June  2,  1833  ;  m.  Jan.  8,  1856,  Harriet  E.  (b.  Oct.  1,  1833),  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Persons  of  Reading,  Vt. ;  resides  in  Keene.  Child  • 
Berdia  A. 

CLARK. 

Timothy  Clark,  b.  in  Billerica,  Mass.,  with  his  wife  Mary  Laws 
came  to  this  town  and  settled  where  Herbert  E.  Carter  resides.  Chil- 
dren :  Timoth}'  and  Theodore  ;  went  west.  James.  Mar}',  ra.  Sam- 
uel Gunn.  Eliza,  m.  June  7,  1807,  Brighani  Smith  of  Cornish,  N.  H. 
Sarah,  b.  July  17,  1785  ;  m.  March  26,  1812,  Jonathan  Bailey. 

Jamks^  Clark  {TimotJo/),h-  in  1769  ;  m.,  1st,  May  22, 1799,  Lucy, 
daughter  of  Shubael  Seaver  ;  lived  in  the  same  house  in  which  Her- 


312  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

bert  E.  Carter  now  lives  and  where  he  d.  Oct.  25,  1825;  m.,  2n{l, 
May  27,  1H06,  Hannah  Mears.  Children  by  Lucy:  William  and 
Jatnes.  Children  by  Hannah:  Lucy,  who  d.  young.  Hester,  ni., 
Nov.  18,  1830,  Russell  F.  Thompson.  Hannah,  d.  in  3^outh.  Levi, 
went  to  Canada  and  never  returned.  Thomas,  b.  Aug.,  1818  ;  went 
to  Illinois. 

William^  Clark  {Janies,^  Timothy^),  b.  in  the  year  1800;  ni.,  1st, 
Susan  Starkey  ;  m.,  2nd,  Hannah  (d.  Feb.  14,  1872),  widow  of  Asa 
Jackson.     He  d.  July  29,  18G9. 

James-^  (James,^  Timothy^),  m.,  June  10,  1830,  Susan  INIorse, 
daughter  of  Capt.  Henry  Morse  ;  lived  in  Massachusetts  until  his 
death. 

Jonathan^  Clauk  (TJiomas^  of  Troy)^  b.  June  3,  1788;  m.,  1812, 
Mary,  daughter  of  Asa  Brewer;  hed.  Aug.  20,  1850,  in  Troy.  Chil- 
dren :  Asa,  b.  Sept.  4,  1814.  Jonathan,  b.  April  10,  1816.  Betsey, 
b.  Sept.  20,  1820;  m.,  1st,  Bailey  Starkey  of  Troy ;  m.,  2nd,  Win- 
throp  Knights  of  Troy.  William,  b.  June  8,  1825.  Daniel  AVebster, 
b.  Feb.  20,  1831.     Henry  C,  b.  Marches,  1838. 

Asa^  Clark  (Jonathan,-  Thomas^),  b.  Sept.  4,  1814,  in  Keene  ;  m., 
1837,  Martha,  daughter  of  Zalmon  How.  Children  :  Warren  H.,  b. 
June  23,  1844.  Chester.  Hattie  E.,  m.  Frederick  L.  Wise  of  Marl- 
borough. 

Jonathan^  Clark  (Jonathan,-  Thomas^),  b.  April  10,  181G  ;  ra., 
Hannah  L.,  daughter  of  Luna  Starkey  of  Troy  ;  d.  Oct.  14,  1852. 

William^  Clark  (Jonathan,-  Thomas^),  b.  June  8, 1825  ;  ni.  1851, 
Martha  BoUes. 

Daniel  AVebster'-^  Clark  (Jonathan,-  Thomas^)  ,h.  Feb.  25,  1831  ; 
m.  Nov.  15,  1851,  Maria  Diana,  daughter  of  Silas  Whitcomb.  Child  : 
Ruby  M.,  an  adopted  daughter,  b.  Dec.  17,  1884. 

Henry  C.^  Clark  (Jonathan,^  Thomas^),  b.  March  8,  1838  ;  m.  a 
daughter  of  James  Marble  of  Hinsdale.     Children:  Edward.     Lona. 

COBURN. 

Daniel  Coburn,  of  Chesterfield,  m.,  2d,  Dec.  26,  1831,  Dorcas 
Moore ;  d.  June  29,  1845.  Children:  Prescott  D.,  b.  1815;  d.  in 
Winchester. 


GENEALOGICAL   EECORDS.  313 

Prescott  D.-  Coburn  {Daniel^),  b.  1815;  m.  Julia  Ann  Snow  (d. 
Oct.  29,  1859,  aged  47  3'eafs)  ;  he  died  Mai'cli  5, 1888,  aged  73  years. 
Children  :  Watson  B.,d.  June  19,  1859,  aged  153'^ears.  LarUin  D.,  d. 
April  24,  1853,  aged  11  years.  Watson  A.,  d.  Feb.  28,  1869,  aged  4 
years. 

COLLIER. 

James  M.  Collier  of  Chesterfield,  Mass.,  b.  July  9,  1809;  m., 
1st,  March  2,  1835,  Miss  Dorinda  Drewry  ;  m.,  2nd,  April  7,  1856, 
Mrs.  Elijah  Bullard.  Children:  Emerson,  b.  Dec.  27,  1835;  d. 
March  2,  1837.  Francis,  b.  March  25,  1838;  d.  Aug.  6,  1843.  An 
infant,  d.  June  30,  1840.  Julia  E.,  b.  July  26,  1842.  Sainantha,  b. 
June  9,  1845  ;  d.  May  14,  1874.  Eu-.ma,  b.  July,  1847  ;  m.  Benjamin 
Taylor  of  New  York.  Nelson,  b.  Aug.  8,  1850.  Frank  F.,  b.  Aug. 
1,  1852.     Henry  T.,  b.  June  29,  1855  ;  d.  May  13,  1879. 

Nelson  A.^  Collier  {James  ifcT.^),  b.  Aug.  8,  1850;  m.  Apr.  19, 
1881,  Emma  L.  (b.  Oct.  6,  1860),  daughter  of  Lorenzo  Ballon.  Chil- 
dren :  Etta  L.,  b.  Aug.  24,  1882.  Lula,  b.  April  9,  1884.  Norman, 
b.  Oct.  11,  1887.     Son,  b.  1889. 

CONBOT. 

John  Conboy,  b.  in  Ireland  about  1840;  m.  Nov.  12,  1871,  Jose- 
phine (b.  Aug.  31,  1856),  daughter  of  Michael  Corker3%  of  Beverly, 
Mass.  Children:  Bessie  Ellen,  b.  Sept.  15,  1872;  d.  June  1,  1887. 
Josephine  Vivian,  b.  Sept.  7,  1877.  Mary  Jane,  b.  June  7,  1879. 
John,  b.  Aug.  28,  1880. 

CONVERSE. 

Daniel  Converse,  m.  Feb.  24,  1795,  Ruth  Seaver. 

COMBS. 

Amos  D.^  Combs  {Anthony^  of  Winchester,  N.  II.),  m. Laws. 

COOK. 

Francis  Cook  and  his  wife  Catharine  came  from  Winchester. 
Hed.  Sept.  27,  1876.  She  d.  June  27,  1887,  aged  78  years.  Chil- 
dren  :  Andrew  B.  and  Etta. 

Andrew  B.^  Cook  (Francis^  of  Winchester),  b.  Aug.  3,  1832;  m. 
Apr.  2,  1866,  Emerancy  B.  (b.  Sept.  8,  1835),  daughter  of  Cass  Bul- 
lock.    Child  :  Mary  E.,  b.  April  15,  1870. 


314  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

EvERSON-  Cook  {John^  of  Winchester),  m.  Juliette  B.,  (laughter  of 
Paul  Willard  ;  came  to  this  town  about  1831;  had  Frances;  returned 
to  AVinchester,  184G. 

Walter  Cook,  of  Weymouth,  Mass.,  came  from  England  to  America 
in  1635.  The  line  of  descent  from  him  to  Caleb  Cook  who  settled  in 
Svvanzey  was,  AValter,  Nicholas,  1st,  Nicholas,  2d,  Caleb. 

Caleb"*  Cook  {Nicholas,^  Nicholas,'^  Walter'^),  h.  Sept.  25,  1727; 
ni.  Sept.  17,  1753,  Provided  Gaskill  (d.  1787)  ;  he  d.  Oct.  16,  1788. 
Children:  George  and  Abigail,  h.  June  19,  1754;  Abigail,  d.  in  in- 
fancy. Olive,  b.  March  30,  1756;  m.  Sannid  Curtis  of  Richmond. 
Patience,  b.  Oct.  30,  1756;  ni.  Amariah  Curtis.  Ziiricl  and  Aurilla, 
b.  Oct.  22,  1763;  the  daughter  d.  in  infancy.  Jemima,  b.  Oct.  10, 
1765;  m.  Benjamin  Hewes.  Simeon,  b.  Doc.  8,  1770.  E^lizabeth,  b. 
Aug.  31,  1772  ;  m.,  1st,  Gifleon  Mann,  of  Richmond  ;  m.,  2nd,  Jere- 
miah Thayer,  of  Richmond;  d.  Feb.  11,  1846. 

Simeon^  Cook  (Caleb, "^  NicJiolas,^  Nicholas,-  Walter'^  from  Eng- 
land), b.  Dec.  8,  1770;  m.,  1st,  July  26,  1791,  Rhoda  (b.  in  1763; 
d.  in  July,  1815),  daughter  of  Gideon  Mann  of  Richmond  ;  m., 
2nd,  April  19,  1816,  Rachel  Ilolman  (widow  Barriis,  b.  in  1780;  d. 
Blaich  2,  1839)  ;  m.,  3d,  March  22, 1840,  Sarah  Brown  (widow  Smead, 
b.  in  1781  ;  d.  Nov.  4,  1861),  of  Swanzey.  Hed.  March  18,  1859. 
Children:  Caroline,  1).  April  16,  1792;  m.  James  Buffum  of  Rich- 
mond ;  d.  Nov.  12,  1876.  Candace,  b.  March  28,  1793;  m.  Ainasa 
Aldrich.  Clarinda,  b.  July  9,  1794;  m.  Oct.  22,  1812,  Russell 
Streeter;  d.  in  Portland,  Me.,  Dec.  27,  1824.  Caleb,  b.  March  12, 
1796.  Aquilla,  b.  May  11,  1797.  Carlon,  b.  Nov.  29,  1798.  Fla- 
villa,  b.  Nov.  17,  1800;  m.  Hubbard  Church  of  Volney,  N.  Y. ;  d. 
Dec.  18,  1833.  Lovanna,  b.  Oct.  7,  1802;  m.  Paul  F.  Aldrich. 
Fostina,  b.  Sept.  21,  1804;  m.  Nov.  27,  1825,  Russell  Streeter. 
George,  b.  Aug.  31,  1817.  Simeon,  b.  Apr.  14,  1821.  Malvina,  b. 
June  30,  1823  ;  m.  Joseph  B.  Smead. 

Caleb^  Cook  {Simeon,^  Caleb,^  yicholas,'^  Nicholas,'^  Waller^),  b. 
March  12,  1796;  m.,  1st,  1818,  Lydia  Thompson  (d.  in  1856);  m., 
2nd,  Feb.  10,  1857,  Mrs.  Jennings  (b.  1805;  d.  Dec.  14,  1878),  of 
Vermont;  he  d.  in  January,  1877. 

Aquilla^  Cook  {Simeon,^  Caleb,^  Nicholas,^  Nicholai^,-  Walter^),  b. 
May  11,  1797;  m.  Olive  Bates  (d.  in  1860),  of  Bellingham,  Mass.  ; 
hed.  in  Feb.,  1880. 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  315 

Carlon^  Cook  (Simeon,^  Caleb, '^  Nicholas,'-^  JSTicholas,^  Walter^),  b. 
1798;  m.  Cynthia  (b.  March  18,  1799),  daughter  of  John  Carter  of 
Leominster,  Mass.  He  d.  about  1830.  She  m.,  2nd,  Dec.  3,  1840, 
George  AY.  Daniels  (d.  in  Winchester,  Mass.,  in  1875),  of  Keene. 
ChiUl :  Marcus. 

Simeon^  Cook  {Simeon,^  Caleb,^  Nicholas,^  JSiicholas,^  Walter^), 
b.  Apr.  14,  1821;  w.  8ept.  24,  1841,  Patience  (b.  May  28,  1820), 
dauojiter  of  Silas  Parsons.  Children  :  Silas  Parsons,  b.  Oct.  18,  1845, 
Leroy,  b.  Feb.  4,  1849.  Solon,  b.  1851  ;  d.  in  infancy.  Clara  J.,  b. 
Oct.  22,  1854  ;  m.  Herbert  Aldrich.     Charles  S.,  b.  May  28,  1857. 

COOPKR. 

Harvey  ^Y.  Cooper,  m.,  Dec.  22,  1842,  Hannah  (b.  Nov.  10, 
1823),  daughter  of  Martin  Thompson.  They  d.  in  Keene,  leaving 
AVillie ;  and  Abbie,  b.  Sept.  14,  1856  ;  both  reside  in  Keene. 

CORLIS. 

BAir.Ei-2  CoRLis  {Savuiel^  of  Bote),  b.  March  26,  1815;  m.,  1st,  in 
1838,  Martha  (b.  in  March,  1811  ;  d.  in  1845),  daughter  of  Samuel 
Scribner  of  Salisbury;  ra.,  2nd,  May  9,  1849,  Nancy  S.,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Edmonds  of  Thornton.  Children  :  Benjamin  B.,  b.  in  March, 
1839  ;  d.  in  1845.  Ida  G.  B.  Y.,  b.  May  14,  1852  ;  m.  George  Perry. 
Florence  A.  E.,  b.  April  9,  1854;  m.  Edgar  H.  Nararaore,  of  AYin- 
chester. 

COREY. 

Amos  L.^  Corey  {Ahmham^  of  Marlborough) .  b.  Aug.  1,  1839  ;  m. 
Ellen  M.,  daughter  of  John  G.  Sparry  of  Cavendish,  Yt.  Children  : 
Clara  A.,  b.  Dec.  8, 1863  ;  ra.  Jesse  Hall.  Charles  Lorenzo,  b.  Sept. 
22,  1866.  Mary  Isabel,  b.  May  30^  1869.  Francis  Bryon,  b.  Sept. 
28,  1871. 

CRAM. 

Sylvanus  Martin-  Cram  {Joseph^  of  Neiv  London),  b.  Jan.  20, 
1818;  m.  May  3,  1841,  Charity  (b.  Nov.  17,  1824),  daughter  of  John 
T.  Ruter  of  AYashington,  Yt.  Children:  Sylvanus  Martin,  b.  July 
6,  1844  ;  d.  Oct.,  1851.  Julia,  b.  June  18,  1847  ;  m.  Oilman  Ordway, 
North  Randolph,  Yt.  Dora  H.,  b.  Aug.  14,  1851 ;  m.  Arza  Higgins. 
Martin  G.,  b.  Dec.  1,  1855.  Ursula  Y.,  b.  May  25,  1857;  ra.  Fla- 
vins F.  Lombard.  Susa,  b.  May  29,  1858.  AYalter,  b.  Apr.  22,  1864. 
Jennie  M.,  b.  Dec.  31,  1866  ;  m.  Ned  Evans. 


316  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

CRESSON. 

Thomas  Crksson  was  in  Swanze^^  as  early  as  1737,  and  was  from 

Siin(lerhui(l,Mass.  ;  ni.  Mary ;  her  clmrcli  relation  was  removed 

to  Swanzey  from  Rutland,  Mass.,  in  1741.  Children  :  Thomas,  b. 
in  August,  1722.  Mary,  m.  a  Mr.  Fish.  Sarah,  m.  AVyot  Gunn. 
A  ehild  d.  in  1740.  AVilliam,  d.  Nov.  23,  1754.  Submit,  d.  Aug.  9, 
1755. 

Tiiomas^Cresson  {Tliomas^  from  Sxinderland) ,h.\w  Awg.^  1722  ;  m. 
Mary (b.  in  1732  ;  d.  May  2G,  1814)  ;  he  d.  May  8,  1821.  Chil- 
dren :  Nathan,  b.  Feb.  15,  1754.  William,  b.  Feb.  8,  1756.  Silas, 
bapt.  June  18,  1758;  d.  Oet.  3,  1759.  Silas,  b.  Feb.  2,  1760;  d. 
Feb.  15,  1778.  Thomas,  b.  July  1,  1762.  Gains,  bapt.  July  10, 
1765;  d.  Oct.  7,  1765.  Gains,  b.  May  13,  1767.  Molly,  b.  Nov.  3, 
1769  ;  m.  Nov.  18,  1788,  Daniel  Beverstock.  Sarah,  b.  Oct.  4,  1772  ; 
m.  James  Kingsbury.  Olive,  l)a[)t.  Jan.  26,  1777  ;  d.  Aug.  27,  1777. 
Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  23,  1778.  Paul,  b.  Dec.  19,  1780.  Catharine,  b. 
Dec.  7,  1782. 

Nathan^  Cresson  {Thomas,^  Thomas^),  b.  Feb,  15,  1754  ;  m.  Lois 
.     Children  :  Chloe,  b.  Feb.  10,  1782  ;  m.  a  Mr.  Rawson.     Si- 


las, b.  Sept.  9,  1785.  AVilliam,  b.  Sept.  17,  1787.  Thomas,  b.  Aug. 
14,  1789.  Seth,  b.  March  1,  1792.  Nathan,  b.  May  4,  1794.  Elias, 
b.  May  27,  1796.     Rufus,  b.  Apr.  23,  1799. 

Gaids'-'  Cresson  (Thomas,'^  Thomas^),  b.  May  13,  1767  ;  m.  Nov. 
27,  1788,  Mary  Smith;  he  d.  in  1812.  Children:  Melinda,  b.  Oct. 
14,  1789.  Salome,  b.  April  21,  1791.  Roxaua,  b.  April  15,  1793. 
Carlos,  b.  May  7,  1795.  Sarah,  b.  April  15,  1797.  Olive,  b.  July 
25,  1805.     Mary,  b.  May  7,  1807. 

CROSS. 

Three  brothers,  Joseph,  Thomas  and  Nathan  Cross,  came  to  Swan- 
zey from  Nottingham  about  1760  and  settled  near  each  other  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  town. 

Joseph  Cross,  b.  1758;  m.  March  10,  1785,  Hannah  (b.  1764; 
d.  June  27,  1817),  daughter  of  Benjamin  Olcott ;  lived  on  what  was 
called  "Pine  Hill;"  he  d.  Oct.  21,  1815.  Children:  Sarah,  b.  Feb. 
3,  1786  ;  m.  Oct.  8,  1806,  Abijah  Stearns.  William,  b.  March  18, 
1787.  Otis,  b.  July  12,  1789.  Joseph,  b.  March  8,  1791.  Benja- 
min, b.  June  1,  1793.     Hannah,  b.  June  14,  1795.     Levi,  b.  Aug. 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  317 

26,  1797  ;  went  to  Vermont.     James,  b.  Jane  15,  1800  ;  went  to  Ver- 
mont.    Luther,  b.  Oct.  17,  1802;  went  to  Woodstock,  Vt. 

Thomas  Cross,  brother  of  Joseph,  m.  Sarah  Peraberton  (b.  1764  ; 
d.  Aug.  8,  1859,  aged  95  years).  He  settled  near  his  brother  Joseph, 
but  d.  in  Highgate,  Vt.  ;  the  cellar  only  marks  the  spot.  Children  : 
John,  b.  about  1784.  Peter,  b.  Sept.  10,  1786.  Henry,  b.  Nov.  22, 
1788.  Nathan,  b.  Sept.  12,  1790  ;  ra.  Betse}^  Hammond  and  removed 
to  Highgate,  Vt.,  where  they  died.  Enoch,  b.  May  28,  1792  ;  m. 
March  15,  1821,  Betsey  Britton  and  removed  to  the  state  of  New 
York.  Lucina,  b.  1794;  m.  April  4,  1820,  Benjamin  Hammond. 
Sarah,  m.  Joseph  Ripley  of  "Winchester.  Lewis.  Celinda  lives  iu 
Boston.     Charles  lives  in  Keene. 

Nathan  Cross,  brother  of  Joseph  and  Thomas,  ra.  Betsey  Law- 
rence (b.  1772;  d.  Dec.  13,  1854).  He  d.  in  Westport,  Jan.  26, 
1842.  Children:  Polly,  b.  April  5,  1793;  m.  June  3,  1818,  Enos 
Stevenson.  Otis,  b.  Aug.  21,  1794.  Eldad,  b.  1796.  Betsey,  b. 
Dec.  20,  1799  ;  ra.  Rev.  Tristan  Aldrich.  Matilda,  m.  Dec.  27, 
1826,  David  Read.  Zadock.  Allen.  David.  Daniel,  b.  March 
13,  1813  ;  d.  Jan.  13,  1890,  in  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Joseph^  Cross  (Joseph^),  b.  March  8,  1791;  ra.  Feb.  18,  1816, 
Mariam  (b.  Dec.  31,  1793),  daughter  of  Jonathan  Whitcomb.  Chil- 
dren :  Francis.     Frederick.     Horace. 

Benjamin^  Cross  (Joseph^),  b.  June  1,  1793;  m.  Feb.  2,  1816, 
Susanna  (b.  1798;  d.  July  21,  1878,  aged  80  years),  daughter  of 
Joel  Foster.  He  d.  July  13,  1846,  aged  53  years.  Children  :  Han- 
nah, b.  Nov.  10,  1816  ;  ra.  Edwin  Snow.  Augusta,  b.  Oct.  15,  1820 ; 
m.  John  A.  Dennis  of  Iowa.  Levi,  b.  Dec.  8,  1821.  Philemon  W.» 
b.  Dec.  9,  1823  ;  lives  in  Peterborough,  N.  H.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  18, 
1825  ;  m.  John  C.  Young ;  lives  in  Manchester,  N.  H.  Benjamin,  b, 
April  3,  1828  ;  d.  June  22,  1829.  Martha  J.,  b.  March  9,  1831  ;  m. 
George  W.  Perry  of  Maiden,  Mass.  Ira,  b.  July  23,  1833  ;  m.  Au- 
gusta Sanborn  of  Nashua.  George  H.,  b.  Feb.  9,  1835  ;  m.  Jane  M., 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Jackson  and  lives  in  Winchester. 

JoHN^  Cross  (Thoynas^),  b.  about  1784;  m.  Feb.  18,  1816,  Milla 
(b.  about  1784)   daughter  of  Jonathan  Whitcomb.     Cliildren  :  Gil- 
bert.    Levi,  b.  about  1819  ;  m.  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Clark  Dodge  ; 
she  d.  in  Swanzey,  Nov.  29,  1856  ;  he  lives  in  Keene. 
22 


318  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

Peter-  Cross  (Thomas^),  b.  Sept.  10,  1786  ;  m.  Lucy  (d.  Aug.  15, 
1844),  daughter  of  Benjamin  Hammond;  he  d.  May  1,  1865.  Chil- 
dren :  Calista,  b.  Jan.  16,  1810;  m.  Jolm  A.  Harablet.  George,  b. 
Sept.  7,  1812.  Ebenezer  F.,  b.  March  15,  1815.  Azuba,  b.  Julj' 
1,  1819;  m.  Feb.  12,  1846,  Ephraim  P.  Rixford  of  AVinchester. 
Wilder,  b.  July  8,  1822.  Ziba,  b.  May  30,  1825  ;  d.  June  22,  1833. 
Wesley,  b.  Sept.  14,  1827;  d.  Sept.  28,  1845. 

Henrt^  Cross  (TJiomas'^),  b.  Nov.  22,  1788;  m.  Lydia  Hammond 
of   Winchester,  Jan.  23,  1820. 

Otis^  Cross  (Nathan^),  b.  Aug.  21,  1794;  m.  Charlotte  (d.  Jan. 
3,  1842),  daughter  of  David  Read;  d.  Oct.  1,  1849.  Children:  Sul- 
1  van,  b.  Aug.  17,  1817.  Dulcy  Ann,  b.  June  21,  1824;  m.  a  Mr. 
Wells.     Edwin  L.,  b.  April  7,  1833.     Amy  C,  b.  Aug.  14,  1837. 

Eldad2  Cross  {NatJicm^),  b.  1796;  m.,  Nov.  19,  1818,  Betsey 
Heffron  (b.  1799;  d.  Sept.  1,  1869)  ;  d.  April  16,  1878,  in  Worces- 
ter, Mass.  Children:  Enos  H.,  b.  Jan.  22,  1820;  lives  in  Gilsum. 
Joseph,  b.  Oct.  25,  1824.  Orrin  T.,  b.  Aug.  19,  1829;  m.  Sophia 
Verry,  daughter  of  Horace  Verry  ;  went  to  Whitehall  where  she  died ; 
he  is  in  Gilsum,  N.  H. 

George^  Cross  {Peter,^  Thomas^),  b.  Sept.  7,  1812;  m.,  1st,  Oct. 
14,  1841,  Eunice  (d.  Sept.  26,  1862),  daughter  of  Joshua  Snow; 
m.,  2d,  Feb.  17,  1863,  Helen,  daughter  of  Reuben  Foster  of  Ches- 
terfield;  d.  Sept.  13,  1884.  Children:  An  infant,  d.  Aug.  13,  1848. 
Irvin  G.,  b.  June  28,  1865. 

Ebenezer  F.^  Cross  (Peter,-  Thomas^),  b.  March  15,  1815;  m. 
Helen  Clark  of  Chesterfield  (d.  Jan.  4,  1858)  ;  d.  in  Andersonville, 
Ga.  Children:  Fred  and  Edwin  who  live  in  Winchendon  and  John 
who  lives  in  Worcester,  Mass. 

Sullivan^  Cross  (Otis,-  Nathan'^),  m.  a  Miss  Taft,  daughter  of 
RufusTaft  of  Winchester.  Children:  Mary  E.,  d.  Sept.  24,  1849. 
Rufus,  d.  Oct.  21,  1849.     The  family  removed  from  this  town. 

Irvin  G.'»  Cross  (George,^  Peter, ^  Tliomas^),  m.,  1st,  May  26,  1886, 
Hattie  A.  Fox  (b.  1864;  d.  Nov.  1,  1887),  daughter  of  Joseph 
Ellor  and  adopted  by  Salmon  H.  Fox ;  m.,  2nd,  Blanche  (b.  April 
5,  1872)  daughter  of  Charles  S.  Whitcomb.  Child,  by  Hattie:  Carl 
F.,  b.  Oct.  27,  1887. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  ^  319 


CROSSETT. 

Richard^  Crossett  (Robert^  of  Prescott,  Mass.),  b.  Nov.  5,  1764; 
m.,  Jan.  9,  1784,  Olive  Powers  (b.  1762;  d.  March  10,  1835)  ;  d. 
Aug.  6,  1814.  Children:  Polly,  b.  Dec.  20,  1785;  m.  Samuel  Hol- 
brook,  Aaron,  b.  June  6,  1787;  d.  Apr.  25,  1802.  Richard,  b. 
1789.  Isaac,  b.  Dec.  17,  1791.  John,  b.  1793.  Luther  and  Calvin, 
b.  Jan.  21,  1795.  Chester,  b.  about  1796.  Salmon,  b.  July  19, 
1798.     Robert,  b.  Dec.  19,  1799.     Powers,  b.  Oct.  17,  1802. 

Richard^  Crossett  {Richard,^  Robert^),  b.  1789;  m.  Mrs.  Olive 
Darling  of  Northfield,  Mass. ;  d.  Feb.  14,  1863.  Children:  Susan, 
b.  about  1815;  m.  Frank  Richardson.  Louisa,  b.  about  1818;  m. 
Isaac  Lamson.  James,  d.  1823.  Robert,  b.  Nov.,  1823;  d.  in 
Michigan. 

Powers^  Crossett  {Richard,-  Robert^),  b.  Oct.  17,  1802  ;  m.  Mary 
S.  (b.  Sept.  26,  1808),  daughter  of  Clement  A.  Sumner.  Child  :  Mary 
A.,  d.  July  2,  1832. 

CROUCH. 

Amos^  Crouch  {Jolin^  of  Chesterfield) ,  b.  in  1769  ;  m.,  1st,  Lydia 
Brown  (b.  1773,  d.  Jan.  3,  1812),  of  Brookline  ;  m.,  2nd,  Sally  (b. 
1778;  d.  Feb.  16,  1825),  a  sister  of  Lydia;  m.,  3rd,  Sept.  27,  1825, 
Abigail  (b.  1785  ;  d.  1860),  daughter  of  Daniel  Holbrook  of  Keene. 
He  died  Aug.  18,  1861.  Children  :  John,  b.  1796.  Lydia,  m.  Elisha 
Taylor  of  Ashby,  Mass.  Amos,  b.  May  25,  1800.  Lucy,  b.  1802 ; 
m.  Aaron  C.  Brown.  Clark,  b.  1804  or  5  ;  d.  Apr.  8, 1817.  Hannah, 
b.  May  8,  1807.     Ephraim,  b.  Jan.  28,  1811. 

JoHN^  Crouch  {Amos,-  John^),  b.  March  13,  1796  ;  m.,  March  13, 
1817,  Sarah  (b.  Sept.  27,  1794;  d.  March  21,  1869),  daughter  of 
Samuel  Draper  of  Chesterfield;  d.^  1885.  Children:  Mary  Ann,  b. 
Nov.  15,  1818  ;  d.  Aug.  27, 1822.  Abraham  L.  and  Clark  B.,  b.  May 
26,  1820.     Levi,  b.  July  14,  1823.     Mary  Ann,  b.  June  6,1827. 

Amos^  Crouch  {Amos,~  Johv}),  b.  May  25,  1800;  m.  Sept.  25, 
1822,  Lucy  Brown  of  Brookline  (b.  July  24,  1799  ;  d.  Apr.  14,  1873)  ; 
d.  July  6,' 1877.  Child  :  Amos  C.  b.  Oct.  7,  1827. 

Ephraim^  Crouch  {Amos,^  John>),  b.  Jan.  28,  1811  ;  m.  Feb.  15, 
1832,  Eunice  (b.  Sept.  25,  1802  ;  d.  Jan.  20,  1888),  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Draper  of  Chesterfield.  Children:  Eunice  S.,  b.  June  7,  1833. 
E.  Augustus,  b.  Oct.  18,  1835.     Luman  J.,  b.  Apr.  6,  1845. 


320  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

Abraham  L."!  Crouch  {.Tohn,^  Amos^'^  John^),  h.  May  2G,  1820; 
m.  Rebecca  D.,  daughter  of  Elislia  Taylor  of  Ashby,  Mass. ;  d.  jNIay 
14  1874. 

Clark  B.''  Crouch  (JoJm,^  Amos,~  John^),  b.  May  26,  1820;  m., 
1st,  ]\Iary  Jane  Gilson  ;  m.,  2d,  the  widow  of  his  twin  brother,  Abra- 
ham L. 

Levi^  Crouch  (JoJm,^  Amos,^  JoJin^)^  b.  July  14,  1823  ;  m.,  1st, 
March  7,  1848,  Sarah  (b.  June  13,  1822;  d.  Oct.  5,  1878),  dauj^hter 
of  Joualhan  Bailey;  m.,  2d,  Nov.  17,  1880,  widow  Mary  Wilber, 
daughter  of  a  Mv.  Staples  of  Westmoreland. 

Amos  Clark^  Crouch  (Amos,^  Amos^,  John^),  b.  Oct.  7,  1827  ;  m., 
1st,  Nov.  4,  1857,  riuldah  Augusta  (b.  Dec.  29,  1827;  d.  Dec.  22, 
1877),  daughter  of  Asa  Phillips  of  Peru,  Vt.  ;  m.,  2d,  Aug.  20,  1878, 
Martha  A.,  daughter  of  Amherst  Lewis  of  Chesterfield.  Child: 
Nellie  Augusta,  b.  July  12,  18G4. 

Luman  J.^  Crouch  {Ephraim,^  Amos,^  Jolin^),  b.  April  6,  1845; 
m.  Sept.  7,  18G5,  Almira  (b.  Feb.  24,  1841),  daughter  of  Stearns 
Tarbox  of  Marlborough.  Children:  P:isie  E.,  b.  Oct.  11,  1867. 
George  L.,  b.  June  7,  1870.     Charles  A.,  b.  Jan.  18,  1873. 

Daniel  E.2  Crouch  {Cyrus^),m.^  1st,  Julia  A. (d.  March  23, 

1848,  aged  24  years)  ;  m.,  2d,  Aurelia (d.  July  27,  1850,  aged  23 

years). 

CUMMINGS. 

Enoch  Cummings,  b.  1753;  m.,  1st,  Sarah  (b.  1762;  d.  Feb.  28, 
1812)  ;  m.,  2d,  Lovlna  Woodcock,  widow  Starkey  (b.  1777  ;  d.  Sept. 
10, 1831)  ;  d.  Sept.  21,  1833. 

Nehemiah  Cummings,  b.  1757;  m.  May  11,  1780,  Philadelphia 
White  (d.  June  26,  1849)  ;  d.  March  30,  1815.  She  m.,  2nd,  Oct.  17, 
1833,  Benjamin  Howard  of  Stoddard. 

Daniel  Cummings,  b.  1763  ;  m.  March  6,  1792,  Sally  (d.  Sept.  11, 
1851),  daughter  of  Pentecost  Stanle}' ;  d.  March  31,  1831. 

James  Cumjhngs,  b.  1786;  m.  Betsey (b.  1791;  d.  Apr.   19, 

1856)  ;  d.  Jan.  6,  1858. 

John  Cummings,  b.  1771;   m.  Mary (b.  1771;   d.  May  11, 


GENEALOGICAL   EECORDS.  321 

1842)  ;  d.  Aug.  3, 1842.  Childreu :  Johu,  Nehemiah,  Ebenezer,  Sarah, 
Enoch  and  Daniel. 

Ebenezer- CuMMiNGS  {John^),  m.  March  30,  1825,  Elvira,  daughter 
of  Paddock  Lawrence.  Children:  Rebecca,  b.  July  10,  1825;  d. 
Aug.  15,  1825.  Daniel,  b.  Nov.  28,  1827.  Reuben,  b.  Sept.  16, 
1830;  d.  March  9,  1833.  Arvilla  R.,  b.  Feb.  14,  1832;  m.  George 
W.  Robinson.  Infant  dan.,  b.  and  d.  Feb.  14,  1832,  twin.  Mary 
Wood,  b.  Nov.  24,  1833  ;  d.  Sept.  8,  1849.  Elizabeth  Jane,  b.  Jan. 
3,  1836.     Amos  Ebenezer,  b.  1837.    Louisa,  b.  Dec.  6,  1839  ;  d.  Oct. 

I,  1849.  Hannah  LaAvrence,  b.  Jan.  8,  1841  ;  d.  Sept.  20,  1849. 
RoseUa,  b.  July  30,  1843.     George,  d.  Sept.  4,  1849. 

Enoch^  Cummings  (John^) ,  m.  Orpha  W. (b.  1809  ;  d.  Feb.  22, 

1881).  Children:  Enoch  Haynes,  b.  Apr.  10,  1832.  James,  b.  Jan. 
21,  1834.  Ehza  Maria,  b.  Nov.  4,  1837.  Hannah  Mclntire,  b.  Aug. 
13,  1840.     Frances  Rebecca,  b.  Feb.  27,  1843. 

Amos  Ebenezer^  Cummings  (Ebenezer,'^  John^),  b.  1837;  m.  Sept. 
7,  1870,  Ellen  M.  (b.  Oct.  17,  1847),  daughter  of  Nathaniel  B.  Fisher, 
of  Richmond.  Children  :  Amos  H,  b.  Apr,  24, 1873  ;  d.  Sept.  1 1 ,  1883. 
Abbie  E.,  b.  Jan.  21,  1875  ;  d.  Aug.  25,  1875.  Gertie  A.,  b.  Nov.  10, 
1878. 

Joseph  Cummings,  m.,  1st,  Hannah (d.  Dec.  7, 1776) ;  m.,  2nd, 

Lucy .  Children  :  Hannah,  b.  Sept.  24,  1769.  Ephraim,  b.  July 

6,  1771.  Priscilla,  b.  March  28,  1773.  David,  b.  Feb.  20,  1775. 
Joseph,  b.  Nov.  30,  1776  ;  d.  March  4,  1777.  Betty,  b.  Jan.  19, 1778. 
Lydia,  b.  Aug.  20,  1779.    Sarah,  b.  April  28,  1781.    Joseph,  b.  Sept. 

II,  1783.  Lucy,  b.  May  25,  1785.  Thaddeus,  b.  May  28,  1787.  John 
Warren,  b.  June  17,  1789.     Sophia,  b.  July  14,  1793. 

Ephraim  Cummings,  m.  Betsey  Bradstreet.  Children:  William,  d. 
Sept.  12,  1777.  Olive,  d.  Sept.  12,  1777.  William,  b.  March  21, 
1778.  Oliver,  b.  Feb.  6,  1780.  Simeon,  b.  March  8,  1782.  p:phraim, 
b.  Apr.  24,  1784. 

Simeon^  Cummings  {Ephraiin}),  b.  March  8,  1782;  m.  Apr.  3, 
1803,  Frances  Bradford. 

Nathaniel  Cummings,  m.  Apr,  29,  1792,  Lovina  Whipple.  Child: 
Maynard,  b,  Sept.  7,  1792. 


322  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Thaddeus  Cummings,  m.  Abigail .    Children  :  Henry,  h.  Sept. 

29,  1772.  RhocUi,  b.  March  28,  1775;  d.  May  27,  18-29.  Pru- 
dence, b.  July  3,  1779.  Jonas,  b.  March  IG,  1783.  John  Harrod, 
b.  Jan.  18,  1787. 

IIenuy2  Cummings  (Thaddeus^),  b.  Sept.  29, 1772  ;  m.Oct.  2, 1799, 
Sally  Learned. 

John  Harrod^ Cummings  {Thaddeus'^),  b.  Jan.  18,  1787;  m.  March 
19,  1811,  Mehitable,  daughter  of  Moses  Marsh  of  Keene ;  d.  Nov. 
7,1832.  Children:  Nancy,  b.  Feb.  10,  1812;  m.  Enoch  Howes. 
Fanny,  b.  Sept.  15,  1814;  m.,  1st,  Sept.  25,  1834,  Rosweil  Tliurston 
of  Keene  ;  d.  She  m.,  2d,  ApoUos  Nye  of  Keene  ;  d. ;  m.,  3rd,  Dec. 
22,  1867,  Charles  Page  of  Londonderry.  C.  Alonzo,  b.  July  27, 
1816.  Julia  A.,  b.  Nov.  4,  1817;  m.  Cheney  Thompson  of  Keene  ; 
d.  Jan.  3,  1850.  Peninah,  b.  Aug.  31,  1819  ;  m.  Henry  Thompson, 
of  Townshend,  Vt.  Esther,  b.  Apr.  3,  1821  ;  m.  Lyman  N.  Howes. 
Charles,  b.  March  28, 1823.  Sarah,  b.  March  28,  1823  ;  d.  Dec,  1838, 
Eliza,  b.  May  25,  1829  ;  d.  Oct.  1,  1834. 

CURTIS.v 

Amariah  Curtis,  m.  Patience  (b.  Oct.  30,  1760),  daugliter  of  Caleb 
Cook.  Children:  Provided,  b.  Apr.  17,  1777.  Hannali,  h.  Aug.  24, 
1779.  Susanna,  b.  Sept.  29,  1781.  Molly,  b.  Nov.  12,  1784.  Lu- 
ther, b.  May  8,  1786.     Joanna,  b.  May  11,  1788. 

Calvin  Curtis,  m.,  1st,  Lydia,  daughter  of  Capt.  Nicholas  Cook  of 

Richmond;  in.,  2d,  Betty .    Children:  Anna,  b.  Aug.  17,  1786. 

Lucina,  b.  Nov.  19, 1788  ;  m.  John  Rice  of  Richmond.  Thaddeus,  b. 
Jan.  19,  1791.  Sally,  b.  Nov.  20,  1793;  m.  Jan.  8,  1815,  Samuel 
Parker  of  Richmond.  Joseph,  b,  Dec.  18,  1795.  Lydia,  b.  Oct.  12, 
1798;  m.  Mason  "Whipple  of  "Winchester.  Harriet,  b.  May  6,  1801. 
Almira,  b.  Sept.  17,  1803;  m.  AN'illiam  Hewes.  Calvin,  b.  Oct.  3- 
1805.     Luther  Cook,  b.  Jan.  6,  1809. 

Caleb^  Curtis  (Samuel^  of  Richmond)^  m.  1813,  Lucy,  daughter 
of  Israel  Sabin  of  Richmond.     Children  :  Mary.     Delila.     Julia. 

Thaddeus^  Curtis  (Calvin^),  b.  Jan.  19,  1791  ;  m.  March  4,  1817, 
Charlotte,  daughter  of  Jethro  Kimball. 

Calvin-  Curtis  (Calvin^),  b.  Oct.  3,  1805;  m.  Celia  F,  Ilewes. 
Children  :  Ervin,  b.  May  2,  1842.     Milan  H.,  b.  Jan.  2,  1849. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  323 

Luther  Cook^  Curtis  {Calvin^),  b.  Jan.  6,  1809;  m.  Abigail, 
daugiiter  of  J.  Amidon. 

Louisa  Curtis,  m.  May  27,  1827,  Ebenezer  W.  Nash. 

RoxANNA  Curtis,  m.  Apr.  10, 1827,  David  Franklin  of  Winchester. 

CUTLER. 

George  I.^  Cutler  (Gardner  C.,"^  Jonas, ^  Joel, ^  Abner,"^  Thomas,^ 
Thomas,-  Javies,^  horn  in  England,  1 600,  ca???e  to  America  and  settled 
in  Watertoion  in  1634),  b.  Dec.  10, 1833,  inKeene  ;  m.  Feb.  14,  1866, 
E.  Jennie,  daughter  of  Arvin  Aldrich  of  Westmoreland. 

danforth. 

Richmond  Danforth,  m,  Catherine .  Children  :  Pliny,  b.  June 

13,  1802.     Aliezer  John  Richmond,  b.  Oct.  22,  1803. 

Sally  Richmond  Danforth,  m.  Feb.  15,  1802,  Throop  Barney  of 
Taunton,  Mass. 

DANIELS. 

Elijah  Daniels,  m.  Feb.  17,  1802,  Sail}''  Gunn. 

DAVIDSON. 

Arthur  B.^  Davidson  (Benjamin  B.^  of  Fitzwilliam),h.  March 
9,  1855  ;  m.  Dec.  19,  1881,  Jennie  M.  (b.  Dec.  7,  1857)  daughter  of 
Simeon  H.  Holbrook.    Child  :  Hugh  C,  b.  Feb.  15,  1888. 

darling. 

George- Darling  {3Trs.  Olive^  Darling  of  Nortlifield,  Mass.),  m.,  1st, 
Emily  Thayer;  m.,  2d,  Jan.  26,.  1841,  Mrs.  Miriam  Thayer;  d. 
Dec.  31,  1849.  Children  :  Aaron  T.,  b.  Oct.  12,  1824.  Elijah  S.,  b. 
Oct.  10,  1826.  Lowell  W.,  b.  July  25,  1829.  Mary  Louisa,  b.  March 
4,  1832.  Susan,  b.  June  14,  1835;  d.  May  1,  1849.  Olive  J.,  b. 
Sept.  5,  1837;  d.  March  6,  1838.  Emily,  b.  Dec.  18,  1841  ;  d.  Dec. 
9,  1858. 

Lovtell  W.3  Darling  {George'^),  h.  3 \\\y  25,  1829;  d.  Sept.  17, 
1862  ;  m.  Eliza  Houghton.  Child  :  Edgar  E.,  b.  March  26,  1858  ;  d. 
Nov.  26,  1858. 


324  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 


DAY. 

Ralph  Day,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the  Swanze^y  Days,  was  in  Ded- 
ham,  Mass.,  as  earl3'as  Jan.  1,  1645  ;  ni.  Oct.  12, 1647,  Susan  Fairbanks 
of  tliat  town.  The  line  of  descent  from  Ralph  Day  to  Israel  Day 
who  settled  in  Swanzey  was  John,^  b.  Apr.  5, 1654,  in  Dedham.  John,^ 
b.  Oct.  11,  1679,  at  Dedham  ;  he  settled  in  Wrentham,  Mass. 

Israel^  Day  {John,^  JoJm,'^  Ralph,'^  of  Dedham), h.  Nov.  2,  1713  ; 
m.  May  23,  1739,  Maria  Ileaton  of  Wrentham  ;  d.  Jan.  8,  1776. 
Cliildren  :  Abigail,  b.  Aug.  2,  1740;  d.  Aug.  9,  1740.  Jonathan, 
b.  Jan.  24,  1742.  Keziah,  b.  JMarch  4,  1744  ;  m.  Jan.  4,  1770,  Ziba 
Ware  of  Winchester;  d.  March  8,  1792.  Daniel,  b.  June  24,  1747. 
Josepli,  b.  about  1750;  d.  Nov.  31,  1782.  Jacob,  d.  Apr.  20,  1779. 
Hannah,  d.  May  14,  1779.     Beriah,  b.  about  1758  j  d.  in  Dec,  1824. 

Jonathan^  Day  (Israel,'^  John,^  John,-  Ecd2)h^  of  Dedham)  ^h .  Jan. 

24,  1742;  m.  Miriam  Very  (d.  Aug.  1,  1793),  of  Worcester,  Mass.; 
d.  Dec.  20,  1799. 

Joseph^  Day  {Israel,^  John,^  John,^  Ralj)h^),  b.  about  1750;  m. 
Dec.  28,  1780,  Susan  Hefflon ;  d.  Nov.  31,  1782. 

Beriah^  Day  (Israel,"^  John, ^  John,^  BaJjyh^),  b.  about  1758;  m. 
July  6,  1784,  Rose  Heffron  ;  d.  in  Dec,  1824.  Children  :  Betty,  d.  in 
infancy.  Susan,  d.  aged  19  years.  Sarah,  b.  1789  ;  m,  Nicholas 
Howes. 

Amos  Day,  m.  Nov.  2,  1781,  Abigail  Wright  of  Warwick,  Mass. 
Children  :  Asa,  b.  May  16,  1783.  Calvin,  b.  Jan.  31,  1785.  Jere- 
miah, b.  Apr.  2,  1790. 

Enoch^  Day  {Joseph^  of  Wrentham,  Mass.),  b.  Dec  6,  1771 ;  m. 
Rebecca  Lawrence.     Children:  Melinda  A.,m.  Jonathan  Hill,  Nov. 

25,  1812.     Joseph,  b.  Oct.  14,  1799  ;  d.  in  Chesterfield. 

Benjamin^  Day  (Caleb^  of  Wrentham,  Mass.),  b.  Feb.  18, 1748  ;  m. 
Sept.  10,  1778,  Elizabeth  Larden  of  Wrentham,  Mass. 

dickerman. 
Fred  H.2  Dickerman  (Charles'^  of  Hinsdale),  b.  June  15,  1852; 
m.,  1st,  Jan.  17,  1884,  Vara  J.  (b.  Feb.  13,  1860;  d.  June  13,  1885), 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  325 

daughter  of  David  Wilson ;  m.,2nd,  Oct.,  1890,  Lottie  Ricliardsou  of 
West  Acton,  Mass. 

DERBY. 

Webster  D.^  Derby  (./oeZi  of  Hinsdale),  h.  Feb.  10,  1840;  m. 
March  16, 1867,  Harriet  A.  (b.  July  10,  1846),  daughter  of  John  Beal 
of  Chesterfield.  Children:  Henry  A.,  b.  July  8,  1868.  George  N., 
b.  May  6,  1871.  John  W.,  b.  Aug.  27,  1873.  Charles  E.,  b.  Oct. 
23,  1876.  Nettie  M.  and  Nellie  S.,  twins,  b.  May  6,  1883.  Nettie, 
d.  June  6,  1883;  Nellie,  d.  Oct.  22,  1883.  Frank  A.,  b.  Feb.  15, 
1885. 

DICKINSON. 

Joseph^  Dickinson  (Nathaniel^  of  Deerjield,  Mass.)  ;  ni.,  1st,  Car- 
oline —  (d.  March  19,  1777)  ;  m.,  2nd,  March  17,1778,  Rebecca  War- 
ren, Children:  Rebecca,  b.  July  4,  1773;  m.  Jeremiah  Gilmore. 
A  child,  d.  Jan.  31,  1776.  Caroline,  b.  Dec.  9,  1778;  m.  William 
Butterfield  of  Westmoreland.  Submit,  b.  Oct.  8,  1781.  John,  b. 
Feb.  3,  1784.  Joseph,  b.  June  24,  1786  ;  d.  Feb.  4,  1847.  Joshua, 
b.  Oct.  4,  1788  ;  d.  8ept.  4, 1790.  Luther,  b.  Feb.  24,  1791.  Calista, 
b.  Feb.  8,  1793.     Delana,  b.  Feb.,  1795.    Polly,  b.  Aug.  19,  1798. 

Nathaniel^  Dickinson  (Nathaniel^  of  Deerjield,  3Iass.),  b.  1745; 
m.  May  15,  1770,  Caroline  Cummiug  ;  d.  March  25,  1814.  Children: 
William,  b.  July  16,  1771.  Azariah,  b.  May  2,  1774.  Nathaniel,  b. 
Sept.  25,  1776.     Asa,  b.  Sept.   10,  1778.     Aaron,  b.  Oct.  30,  1780; 

d. .     Aaron,  2ud,  b.  Feb.  17,  1783.     Abel,  b.  May  25,  1785. 

Israel,  b.  Nov.  12,  1787.     Rachel  Hale,  an  adopted  daughter,  bapt. 
Aug.  5,  1787. 

William^  Dickinson  {Nathaniel,'^  Nathaniel^),  b.  July  16, 1771 ;  m. 
Apr.  24,  1800,  Lucinda  Gardner  of  Sunderland,  Mass.  Children  :  Eras- 
tus,  b.  1800.  Caroline.  Nathaniel,  b.  Aug.  1, 1806.  Arvilla.  David  S. 
Ansel,  b.  Feb.  22, 1822.     Rollins. 

Azariah^  Dickinson  {Nathaniel,^  Nathaniel^),  b.  May  2,  1774; 
m.  Feb.  28,  1797,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Matthew  Robley.  Children  : 
Sally,  m.  David  Whitcomb.  Joshua,  bapt.  May  5,  1811.  Clarana, 
bapt.  May  5,  1811.  Eliza,  bapt.  May  5,  1811.  Orriu,  b.  Nov.  28, 
1809.  Manthana,  bapt.  Nov.  10,  1811.  Harriet,  bapt.  July  10, 
1814. 


326  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

Nathaniel^  Dickinson  {Nathaniel,^  Nathaniel^),  b.  Sept.  25,  1776. 

AsA^  Dickinson  {NatJiwiiel,-  Nathaniel^),  h.  Sept.  10,  177S;  m. 

Betty .     Children:  Koweiia,  bapt.  July  18,  1811.     Asa,  b.  Oct. 

10,  1806.    Betsey,  bapt.  July  18,  1811.     Zibu,  bapt.  June  4,  1815. 

Aaron^  Dickinson  {Nathaniel^^  NathanieV-  of  Deerjield),  b.  Feb. 
17,  1783  ;  m.  Feb.  16,  1808,  Polly  (b.  Sept.  4,  1787 ;  d.  Oct.  2, 1873) 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Whitcomb  ;  d.  in  Oct.,  1837.  Children  :  Nathan- 
iel, d.  March  8,  1813.     Alexander,  d.  Sept.  5,  1811.     JNIary,  b.  Oct. 

6,  1812;  d.  Oct.  17,  1837.  Martha,  b.  Aug.  4,  1814.  Alexander,  b. 
March  5,  1817.  Aaron,  b.  Nov.  29,1821;  killed  in  battle.  Sarah, 
b.  Dec.  30,  1823.  Laura,  b.  Aug.  9,  1827 ;  m.  Wellington  Kingsley 
of  Williamsburg,  Mass. 

Abel^  Dickinson  (NatJianiel,-  Nathaniel  of  Deerfield) ,  b.  May  25, 
1785;  in.  Sept.  27,  1815,  Abigail  (b.  Aug.  18,  1786;  d.  Sept.  25, 
1860)  daughter  of  Hezekiah  Scott;  d.  July  28,  1865.  Children  :  Ka- 
chel,  b.  Oct.  24,  1816  ;  m.  Albert  A.  Fasset  of  Winchester.  Lucy,  b. 
Feb.  1,  1819  ;  d.  Dec.  8,  1820.  Harriet  Ann,  b.  Dec.  23,  1821  ;  d. 
Mar.  26, 1839.     George,  b.  Apr.  2,  1825.    Cordelia,  b.  May  28, 1830. 

Erastus^  Dickinson  {William,^  Nathaniel,^  Nat]ianieU)^\>.  1800; 
in.  July,  1828,  Esther  (b.  July  14,  1799  ;  d.  Apr.  7,  1877),  daughter 
of  Moses  Hills  ;  d.  July  22,  1865. 

Nathaniel^  Dickinson  {William,^  Nathaniel,^  Nathaniel^)  ^  b.  Aug. 
1,  1806;  m.  Apr.  18,  1839,  Lucina  (b.  Oct.  18,  1816),  daugliter  of 
David  Hill;  d.  Aug.  2,  1866.  Children:  Lucinda  Keziah,  b.  May  19, 
1840  ;  m.  Joseph  Read  of  Ashuelot.  Laura  Lucina,  b.  Aug.  12,  1841  ; 
d.  Nov.  4,  1843.  Ansel  Byron,  b.  Jan.  15,  1843.  Lora  Ellen,  b. 
Dec.  1,  1844;  d.  June  4,  1858.  Joseph  Gardner,  b.  Sept.  3,  1847. 
Mary  Calista,  b.  March  9,  1849;  m.  George  Smith  of  Hinsdale. 
Nathaniel  William,  b.  Sept.  25,  1850.    John  Henry,  b.  1851  ;  d.  Jan. 

7,  1863.  Frances  Lovilla,  b.  May  11,  1853  ;  d.  Dec.  27,  1862.  Louisa 
Jenette,  b.  Sept.  8,  1855.  Daniel  B.,  b.  Sept.  20,  1857.  Addie  Jane, 
b.  Nov.  19,  1859;  m.  Clarence  J.  Eames.  Charles  W.,  b.  Nov.  10, 
1861. 

Ansei.^  Dickinson  {William,^  Nathaniel,'^  NathayiieP),  b.  Feb.  22, 
1822  ;  m.,  1st,  1852,  Jane  L.  Boleyn  (d.  shortly  after  m.)  of  Hinsdale  ; 
m.,  2nd,  Mary  Theresa  Felch  of  Winchester;  d.  Aug.  1889.  Chil- 
dren :    La  Fell,  Milan  A.,  John  H.  and  William  Eugene. 


GENEALOGICAL   EECORDS.  327 

Orrin"*  Dickinson  {Azariah,^ Nathaniel,-  NatJianieP),  b.  Nov.  28, 
1809  ;  m.,  1st,  April  4,  1833,  Mary  Ann  (d.  April,  1840),  daughter  of 
Joshua  Lawrence  of  Roxbury  ;  m.,  2nd,  Sept.  15,  1840,  Emily  H.  (b. 
Dec.  14,  1819),  daughter  of  Aaron  Wilson  of  Keene ;  d.  Sept.  7, 
1890.  Children:  Ellen  E.,  b.  April  13,  1837.  Wallace  G.,  b.  Aug. 
14,  1839.  Elmer  F,  b.  June  25,  1841  ;  d.  Dec.  13,  1858.  Fanny  M., 
b.  Feb.  27,  1843  ;  m.  Charles  Gilmore.  James  W.,  b.  Jan.  9,  1846. 
Charles  H.,  b.  Nov.  15,  1848.  Anna  E.,  b.  March  24,  1851;  m. 
Charles  E.Page.  Abbot  W.,  b.  Dec.  7,  1854.  Elvie,  b.  Oct.  1, 
1856;  d.  Dec.  13,  1858.  Frank  O.,  b.  Jan.  10,  1859.  Whitney,  b. 
Aug,  2,  1861.     Harry,  b.  May  22,  1865. 

Ansel  B.^  Dickinson  {Natlianiel,'^  William,'^ Natliayiiel,^  NatJianiel^), 
b.  Jan.  15,  1843  ;  m.  Jan.  1,  1868,  Mary  A.  (b.  Dec.  8,  1850),  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  J.  Noyes  of  Boston,  Mass.  Children:  Anna  F.,  b. 
March  31,  1869.  Flora  E.,  b.  Nov.  8,  1870.  Nathaniel  J.,  b.  April 
20,  1872;  d.  March  12,  1884.  Esther  Jane,  b.  Sept.  3,  1873.  Ida 
Belle,  b.  May  26,  1876.  Rosilla  H.,  b.  Nov.  4,  1880.  Ansel  B.,  b. 
Jan.  24,  1882.     David  W.,  b.  May  24,  1883. 

Joseph  G.^  Dickinson  {Nathaniel,'^  William,^  Nathaniel,-  Nathan- 
iel^), b.  Sept.  3,  1847;  m.  Aug.  20,  1879,  Mary  M.  (b.  Aug.  7,  1862), 
daughter  of  Cyrus  G.  Eaton.     Child  :  Pearl  I,,  b.  July  23,  1880. 

Nathaniel  W.^  Dickinson  {Nathaniel,^  William,^  Nathaniel,'^ 
Natlianiel^),  b.  Sept.  25,  1850;  m.  Mary  Alice,  daughter  of  Jarvis 
Ino;alls  of  Richmond. 


'O^ 


Daniel  B.^  Dickinson  (Nathaniel,'^  William,^  Nathaniel,^  Nathan- 
iel^), b.  Sept.  20,  1857  ;  m.  Marion  M.  (b.  Aug.  28,  1861),  daughter 
of  Jarvis  Cass  of  Richmond. 

Charles  H.^  Dickinson  {Orrin^,  Azariah,^  Nathaniel,-  Nathaniel^), 
m.  1881,  Abbie  M.  Kendall. 

Abbot  W.^  Dickinson  {Orrin,'^  Azariah,^  Nathaniel,^  NathanieV-), 
b.  Dec.  7,  1854 ;  m.  Oct.  30,  1876,  Addie  E.,  daughter  of  Francis  B. 

Cass. 

Frank  0.''  Dickinson  {Orrin,'^  Azariah,^  Nathaniel,'^  Nathaniel^) , 
b.  Jan.  10,  1859  ;  m.  Feb.  12,  1879,  Lillian  A.,  daughter  of  Leander 
Page.      Child  :  Augustus  L.,  b.  Apr.  26,  1879. 


328  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

John  W.- Dickinson  (3fr.  Dkkinson^  of  Harvard,  3fass.),in.  Feb. 
27, 18G7,  Harriet  A.  (b.  April  3,  1842,  in  Swanzey),  daughter  of  Carl- 
ton Parker.  Children  :  S.  Carlton,  b.  Dec.  29,  1867,  in  Ayer,  Mass. 
John  Willard,  b.  Sept.  22,  1872.  Mary,  b.  Dec.  6,  1875;  d.  Jan.  20, 
1876.  D.  Harrison,  b.  Oct.  27,  1878.  George  G.  P.,  b.  Jan.  12, 
1882. 

Daniel  H.^  Dickinson  (3Tr.  DicJcinson^  of  Harvard,  3fass.),  b. 
Sept.  12,  1843,  in  Swanzey;  in.  Cordelia  E.,  daughter  of  Carlton  Par- 
ker. Children:  Lois  E.,  b.  Sept.  29,  1867.  Anna  Ma}-,  b.  Nov. 
15,  1868. 

DODGE. 

John  Dodge  had  a  child  d.  Dec.  1,  1760. 

Joshua  Dodge  had  a  child  d.  Aug.  11,  1760. 

Phinehas  Dodge  and  Betty  Morse  were  m.  Feb.  8,  1791. 

Frank  0.2  Dodge  (Abram^  of  Chester,  Vt.),  b.  Oct.  15,  1860 ;  m. 
Nov.  26,  1884,  Alma  Jane  (b.  March  14,  1868),  daughter  of  James 
Monroe  Ballou.     Child  :  Guy  F.,  b.  Oct.' 20,  1885. 

DOLBY. 

Frederick  Dolby,  b.  April  5,  1850,  in  England  ;  m.  March  9,  1874, 
Margaret  Bolton  (b.  Aug.  4,  1849),  in  Hamilton,  Canada.  Cliildren  : 
Sarah,  b.  April  26,  1875.  Malvena,  b.  Feb.  28,  1879.  Nellie,  b. 
Dec.  31,  1881.     George,  b.  Jan.  2,  1884. 

downing. 
Franklin-  Downing  (Janies^  of  Marlow,  N.  H.),h.  Sept.  1,  1821 ; 
m.  Aug.  31,  1854,  Mary  L,  (b.  Dec.  4,  1831),  daughter  of  Jonatlian 
D.Ware.  Children:  Fayette  F.,  b.  Sept.  25,^  1856.  Clarence  W., 
b.  Aug.  12, 1859.  Mary  A.,  b.  Feb.  7,  1862.  Eugene  A.,  b.  May  5, 
1864  ;  d.  July  26,  1867.  Arthur  A.,  b.  Oct.  31,  1867  ;  d.  April,  1868. 
Marshall  W.,  b.  March  15,  1870.    Florence  L.,  b.  April  2,  1872. 

Fayette  F.^  Downing  (Franklin,^  James^),  b.  Sept.  25,  1856  ;  m. 
Sept.  14,  1886,  Addie  J.  Stanley  (b.  Apr.  25,  1864).  Child  :  Mabel 
K.,  b.  Dec.  18,  1888. 

Clarence  W. 3  Downing  {Franklin,-  James^)  ,h.  Aug.  12,  1859  ;  m. 
Nov.  29,  1886,  Lela  R.  Roundy.  Child :  Morton  F.,  b.  Nov.  7,  1887. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  329 


DRAPF.R. 

Abram-  Draper  {Samuel^  of  Chesterfield),  b.  Aug.  15,  1805,  in 
Chesterfield  ;  m.  Dec.  31,  1829,  Sarah  (b.  July  29,  1803),  daughter  of 
Samuel  March  of  Alstead  ;  d.  Sept.  7,  1884.  Children  :  George  W., 
b.  Sept.  22,  1830,  in  Chesterfield.  Abbie  A.,  b.  Sept.  13,  1832  ;  m. 
Enoch  Howes.  Harriet  H.,  b.  Dec.  31, 1846,  in  Alstead  ;  d.  Sept.  14, 
1850. 

Geok&e  W. 3  Draper  (yl&ram,2  Samuel^),  h.  Sept.  22,  1830;  ra. 
Dec.  16,  1852,  Maria  L.  (b.  June  4,  1831),  daughter  of  Grove  Bidwell. 
Child  :    Emma  L.,  b.  March  12,  1859  ;  d.  July  3,  1878. 

DREAVRT. 

Horace  Drewry,  m.  Jan.  17,  1828,  Sally  Thompson,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Thompson. 

DUNHAM. 

Levi  Dunham  and  his  wife  Belinda  had  :  Delia,  b.  May  19,  1816. 

DUNTON. 

Elijah  Dunton,  d.  in  1786. 

DURANT. 

Levi  Durant,  m.  Aug.  19,  1779,  Mary,  daughter  of  William  Wright. 
Children:  Sabra,  b.  Feb.  12,  1781;  m.  Edward  Goddard.  John, 
b.  Oct.  18,  1783.  William,  b.  Dec.  14,  1785.  Levi,  b.  Nov.  21,  1787. 
Polly,  bapt.  Apr.  14,  1793.     Luther,  bapt.  Jan.  10,  1796. 

JoHN^  Durant  {Levi^),  b.  Oct.  18,  1783  ;  ra.  Nov.  23,  1806,  Han- 
nah White  (b.  1787;  d.  Apr.  2,  1813).  Child:  William  Wright,  b. 
June  25,  1807. 

DUSTON. 

Gardner  Duston,  m.  Rachel .  Children  :    Dorcas  Pollard,  b. 

May  2,  1764.    Pearly,  b.  Aug.  26,  1766.    Alithea,  b.  Sept.  13,  1768. 
Cyrus,  b.  Feb.  23,  1771.     Presson,  b.  Apr.  13,  1773. 

DWINNEL. 

David  Dwinnel  m.  Susan,  daughter  of  Josiah  Woodward  ;  she 
was  b.  1786;  d.  Oct.  6,  1861. 


330  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 


EAMKS. 

Jethro  Eames  and  his  wife  Ahiah  had  three  children  :  Abigail. 
Charles.     Phineas,  d.  Sept.  22,  1744,  in  Swiinzey. 

Thomas^  Eames,  a  brickmaker,  b.  about  1618,  came  to  America  as 

early  as  1634,  and  settled  in  Framingham  ;  m.,  1st,  Margarette ; 

m.,  2d,  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Blanford  of  Sudl)nry  ;  d.  Jan.  25,  1680. 
Slie  was  killed  by  the  Indians  with  five  of  her  children  in  1776.  Had 
twelve  children,  one  of  whom  was  John.- 

JoHN^  Eames  {TJiomas,^  a  hrkhnaker) ^  b.  Oct.  6,  1642,  in  Dedham, 
Mass. ;  m.,  1st,  Mary  Adams;  m.,  2d,  Elizabeth  Eames;  d.  Dec.  14, 
1733,  in  Framingham.  Had  ten  children  ;  among  the  sons  was  Ilenry,^ 
who  continues  the  line. 

HenryS  Eames  (John,^  Thomas^),  b.  Apr.  28,  1698;  m.  Nov.  12, 
1722,  Ruth  Newton  ;  d.  March  11, 1761.  Had  ten  children,  the  third 
one  of  the  family  was  Henry.'* 

Henry"*  Eames  (Henr?/,3  Jb7»i, 2  TJioynas^),  b.  Apr.  30,  1726,  in 
Framingham  ;  m.  May  13,  1750,  Lois,  daughter  of  Peter  How  of  Hop- 
kinton,  Mass.  Had  nine  children  :  Henry.  Gershom.  Jotham,  b. 
1756.  Lois.  Lucy.  Ruth.  Peter.  Nabby.  Luther ;  d.  1792  in  Fram- 
ingham. 

Jotham^  Eames  {Ilenry,^  Henry,^  John.,-  Thomas^),  h.  1756;  m. 
May  24,  1787,  Eusebia  (d.  April  11,  1856),  daughter  of  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Goddard  ;  d.  Feb.  21,  1841.  Children  :  William  G.,  b.  June  16, 
1788.  Lucy,  b.  Oct.  16,  1790.  Jotham,  b.  Oct.  11,  1793.  Eusebia,  b. 
March  18,  1800;  m.  Samuel  Winchester  and  removed  to  Sullivan. 
Rhoda,  b.  April  30,  1804.  Maria,  m.  William  Ames  and  lives  in  Hud- 
son, Michigan. 

William  Goddard^  Eames  {Jothccm,^  Henry, ^  Henry  ^^  John,-  Thorn- 
as^),  b.  June  16,  1788  ;  m.  April  22,  1813,  Clarissa  (1).  Nov.  2>^,  1792  ; 
d.  Jan.  14,  1867),  daughter  of  Amos  Bailey  ;  d.  April  2,  1861.  Chil- 
dren :  Cynthia,  b.  May  1,  1814  ;  m.  Sept.  16,  1834,  Jonathan  D.  Tur- 
ner of  Jaffrey.  Louisa,  b.  Sept.  22,  1815;  d.  Feb.  17,  1844.  Henry, 
b.  July  24,  1817.  Zilpha,  b.  April  4,  1821  ;  d.  July  31,  1837.  Claris- 
sa, b.  Aug.  10,  1828  ;  m.  Lyman  N.  Howes.  William,  b.  March  22, 
1831  ;  d.  June  26,  1884,  in  California.  Eusebia,  b.  Oct.  21,  1834;  m. 
George  Moore  (d.  May  25, 1880,  in  California). 


€?^77il^ 


GENEALOGICAL    RECOKUS.  331 

JoTHAM^  Eajies  (JotJiam,^  Henry ^'^  Henry, ^  John,^  TJiomas^) ,  h. 
Oct.  11,  1793  ;  m.  Sept.  7, 1819,  Kezia  M.  (b.  Sept.  23,  1794  ;  d.  Sept. 
1891),  daughter  of  David  Ely  of  Lyme,  Conn. ;  d.  March  11,  1850. 
Children:  Lucy,  d.  young.  Sarah  Ann,  b.  June  30,  1820;  d.  July 
19,  1820.  David  Ely,  b.  Feb.  22,  1822  ;  d.  April  3,  18fi4.  Lucy 
Ann,  b.  Aug.  28,  1823;  m.  Jan.  27,  1854,  Ephraim  Kidder  of  Mich- 
igan. James  C,  b.  June  17,  1825.  Nancy,  b.  Feb.  27,  1827;  m. 
Henr}'  H.  Atwood.  Kezia  M.,  b.  Jan.  1,  1829  ;  m. Hastings  Caipen- 
ter.  Rhoda,  d.  April  10,  1830.  Rhoda  M.,  b.  Jan.  25,  1830;  m. 
Orlando  Ames  of  Michigan.  JothamC,  b.  Dec.  9,  1834  ;  d.  Feb.  2, 
1841.     Frederic  P.,  b.  Jan.  21,  1838  ;  d.  March  25,  1840. 

Henry'''  Fames  (William  G.,^  Jotham,^  Henry,^  Henry,^  John,^ 
Thomas,^  from  England),  b.  July  24,  1817;  m.,  1st,  May  1,  1844, 
Eliza  Ann  (b.  June  15,  1820  ;  d.  Dec.  8,  1867),  daughter  of  Joseph 
Brown  ;  m.,  2d,  Sept.  20,  1868,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Allen  (b.  Aug.  14,  1827). 
He  d.  Nov.  7,  1886.  Children  :  Frank  H.,  b.Feb.  22,  1845.  George  H., 
b.  May  25,  1847.  Floretta  M.,  b.  March  11,  1849  ;  m.  John  Ballon. 
Fred  B.,  b.  Dec.  3,  1851.  Harriet  A.,  b.  Sept.  16,  1856  ;  m.  Willis 
Hutchinson.  Eliza  A.,  b.  June  14,  1859  ;  m.  Simeon  E.  Cameron  of 
Keene. 

James  C.'''  Fames  {Jotham,^  Jotham,^  Henry,'^  Henry,"^  JoJin,^ 
Thomas^),  h.  June  17,  1825  ;  m.,  1st,  Aug.  13,  1844,  Martha  M.  (b. 
March  13,  1827),  daughter  of  Lawson  Moore  ;  m.,  2d,  July  23,  1864, 
Ellen  F.  Higgins  of  Hinsdale  (widow  of  Francis  J.  Porter)  ;  d.  April 
19,  1888.  Children  :  p:mma  F.,  b.  Nov.  2,  1847  ;  m.  George  S.  i:ilis  ; 
d.  Nov.  9,  1863.  Ella  M.,  b.  Sept.  2,  1851  ;  m.  Theodore  H.  Miller 
of  Washington,  D.  C.  Clarence  J.,  b.  Aug.  7,  1853.  Ozro  C,  b.  Dec. 
10,  1857  ;  d.  Nov.  21,  1863.     Arthur  E.,  b.  Oct.  15,  1870. 

Frank  H.^  Fames  {Henry,''  William  G.,^  Jotham,^ Henry, '^ Henry ^^ 
Jolin,'^  Thomas^),  b.  Feb.  22,  1845  ;  m.  Etta  A.  Williams.  Children  : 
Percy.     Willie. 

George  H.s  Fames  (H'en?-?/,'''  William  G.,^Jotham,^  Henry, ^  Henry, ^ 
Jolin,^  Thomas^),  b.  May  5,  1847  ;  m.  March  22,  1876,  Margaret  An- 
derson of  Keene.     Child  :    George  Herbert,  b.  Aug.  25,  1884. 

Fred  B.^  Fames  {Henry,''  William  G.,^  Jotliam,^  Henry, ^  Henry, ^ 
John,-  Thomas)^,  b.  Dec.  3,  1851;  m.  June,  1876,  Louie  Toye. 
Child  :  Harry,  b.  1883. 


332  HISTORY   OF   SWANZET. 

Clarence  J.^  EAMEs(t7a??ie.s  C,"  Jotham,^'  Jotham/'  Henry, '^  Henry, ^ 
John,-  Thomas^),  b.  Aug.  7,  1853;  m.  Nov.  8,  1875,  Addie  Jane  (b. 
Nov.  19,  1859),  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Dickinson,  3rd.  Children: 
Clarence  N.,  b.  Nov.  1,  187G.  Walter  Lee,  b.  Sept.  30,  1878;  d. 
Feb.  28,  1880.     Cressie,  b.  Apr.  9,  1884. 

EASTMAN. 

George  W.^  Eastman  {Carlton^  of  Hartland,  Vt.),  b.  ]May  18, 
1830;  m.  June  18,  1852,  Jane  (b.  Aug.  26,  1834)  daughter  of  James 
Tufts  of  Keene.  Children  :  Augusta  C,  b.  Nov.  5, 1853  ;  m.  Osman 
Bidwell.     Alice,  b.  Aug.  20,  1855  ;  m.  George  G.  Page.     Charles  C, 

b.  June  3,  1857  ;  d.  Apr.  11,  1858.     Emily  Jane,  b ;  m.  Walter 

E.  Ilewes.  Jenney,  b.  May  1,  1861 ;  m.  Jan.  1,  1882,  Lorin  Wliite 
of  Marlborough.  Sarah  Lizzie,  b.  June  3,  1863;  d.  Oct.  14,  1865. 
Jesse,  b.  Aug.  17,1865.  John  C,  b.  Oct.  10,  1867;  d.  March  30, 
1873.  William  Henry,  b.  June  10,  1870.  George  Frank,  b.  Apr.  25, 
1872.     Robert  R.,  b.  Apr.  29,  1876. 

Erdix  S.2  Eastman  {Amos^  of  Corinth,  Vt.),  b.  March  15,  1836; 
m.  Oct.  29,  1872,  Emma  E.  (b.  Dec.  12,  1843),  daughter  of  Irus  Met- 
calf.  Children:  Josie  E.,  b.  Sept.  6;  1873;  d.  Dec.  1,  1878.  Roy 
E.,  b.  Jan.  15,  1881. 

EATON. 

Jedutiiun  Eaton  m.,  2nd,  Nov.  14,  1844,  Mrs.  Phebe  Turtelot  of 
Winchester.     Child  :  Joel,  b.  in  Winchester,  July  25,  1800. 

Joel^  Eaton  (Jednthnn^  of  Winchester) ,  b.  July  25,  1800  ;  m.  Mary 
AnnAVooUey  (b.  May  16,  1807)  of  AYinchester  ;  d.  June  3, 1863.  Chil- 
dren :  Martha  A.,  b.  in  Chesterfield,  Dec.  25,  1832  ;  ra.  July  2,  1856, 
George  A.  Leonard.  F.  Loyd,  b.  June  22,  1835,  in  Chestei  field ; 
resides  in  Michigan.  Mary  Lorette,  b.  June  16,  1837,  in  West- 
moreland. Francis  H.,  b.  July  8,  1839  ;  d.  Sept.  10,  1856.  Amasa  R., 
b.  Nov.  23,  1841 ;  d.  May  29,  1859.  Ellen  F.,  b.  Dec.  3,  1844;  d. 
March  17,  1874.     Joel  M.,  b.  Nov.  5,  1848;  resides  in  Michigan. 

Joel^  Eaton  {Abel,^  Samuel,^  Samuel,^  Jonathan,^  Jonas^  who 
came  from  Evgland  prior  to  1640,  later  from  Reading),  m.  Eunice  (b. 
March  4,  1801)  daughter  of  Abraham  Stearns;  removed  to  Wood- 
stock, Vt.     Children  :  Augusta,  Elizabeth,  Ellen,  and  Jolm  S. 

Orleans  S.'^  Eaton  {Loren,'^  AheU^  Samuel^  of  Holden,  Mass., 
SamueP  of  Worcester,  Jonathan?  of  Reading,  Mass.,  Jonas^  who  came 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  333 

from  England  prior  to  1640  and  settled  in  Reading^  Mass.)^  b.  Dec. 

17,  1833  ;  m.,  1st,  Dec.  31,  1863,  Ellen  E.  (b.  March  3, 1842  ;  c1.  Feb. 
16,  1877),  daiigliter  of  Rev.  Tiistan  Aldrich  ;  m,,2n(l,  Jan.  12,  1887, 
Mrs.  Adelphia  Thayer  (tl.  Ang.  25,  1888),  daughter  of  Benjamin  F. 
Draper.  Children:  Herbert  J.,  b.  Nov.  25,  1864.  Willie  O.,  b. 
Ang.  27,  1869.  Mabel  L.,  b.  March  5,  1873  ;  d.  Sept.  4,  1888.  Cora 
Ellen,  b.  Feb.  10,  1877. 

James  T.^  Eaton  {Ahel^^  Samuel,'^  Samuel,^  Joyiathan,^  Jonas,^  of 
England iwior  to  1640),  b.  June  22,  1813  ;  m.,  Jnly  10, 1845,  Martha 
N.  (b.  June  26,  1824  ;  d.  March  19,  1863)  daughter  of  Joseph  Snow  ; 
d.  Jan.  25,  1872.     Chihlren  :  James  Harvey,  b.  Jan.  30, 1847  ;  d.  June 

18,  1864,  at  Washington,  D.  C.     Humphrey  G.,  b.  April  9,  1849. 
Alfred  S.,  b.  June  30,  1851.     Addie  J.,  b.  Feb.  29,  1856. 

Humphrey  G.'''  Eaton  {James  T.,^  Abel,^  Samuel,'^  Samtiel,^  Jona- 
than,^ Jonas^),h.  April  9,  1849  ;  ni.  Sept.  5, 1875,  Julia  M.  (b.  March 
9,  1849) ,  daughter  of  E.  G.  and  M.  P.  Goodell  of  Winchester.  Chil- 
dren :  Addie  Geneva,  b.  June  3, 1877.  Ned  Herman,  b.  July  20,  1879. 
Carl  Wesley,  b.  July  30,  1882.  Delia  L.,  b.' June  4,  1884.  Children 
all  born  at  Winchester. 

^  Ellis. 

George  W.'  Ellis  (formerly  of  Keene),  b.  Jan.  29,  1809  ;  m.,  1st, 
Dec,  1837,  Louisa  (b.  Jan.  25, 1818  ;  d.  March  24,  1856),  daughter  of 
Mr.  Farwell  of  Nelson  ;  m.,  2nd,  Sarah  P.,  daughter  of  Daniel  Thomp- 
son, of  Keene.  Cliildren  :  George  S.,  b.  March  10,  1838.  D.  Warren,  b. 
Nov.  7,  1839.  Al)bie  L.,  b.  Oct.  9,  1841 ;  m.  Homer  E.  White  of 
Marlborough.  Elbridge  C,  b.  June  22,  1843.  J.  Lucius,  b.  Jan. 
27,  1845.  Anna  M.,  b.  Feb.  8,  1848  ;  m.  Arthur  F.  Bigelovv  of  Keene, 
May  28,  1877.  Emma  S.,  b.  March  31,  1850;  m.  Everett  Adams. 
Ella  W.  (twin  to  Emma  S.),  b.  March  31,  1850;  m.  Charles  W. 
Pierce  of  Keene.     Hattie  M.,  b.  Apr.  11,  1852;  d.  Sept.  10,  1854. 

George  S.^  Ellis  (George  WA),  b.  March  10,  1838  ;  ra.,  1st,  Aug. 
6,  1863,  Emma  F.  (b.  Nov.  2,  1847;  d.  Nov.  9,  1863),  daughter  of 
James  C.  Eames ;  m.,  2nd,  Oct.  11,  1864,  Nellie  M.  (b.  Apr.  15, 
1840),  daughter  of  Hiram  Forbusli. 

D.  Warren2  Ellis  (George  WA),  b.  Nov.  7,  1839;  m.  Jan.  2, 
1878,  Annie  M.  Heustis  of  Boston.  Child  :  Georgiana,  b.  Feb.  26, 
1882. 

23 


334  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

Abbie  L.2  Ellis  (George  TF.i),  b.  Oct.  9,  1841  ;  m.  June  15,  1863, 
Homer  E.  White  (b.  June  12,  1840),  of  Marlborough.  Children: 
Walter  H.,  b.  Sept.  4,  18G7,  in  Marlborough.  Louie  and  May,  b. 
Apr.  3,  1873,  in  Keene  ;  May  d.  Apr.  3,  1873  ;  Louie  d.  Apr.  5,  1873. 

Elbkidge  C.2  Ellis  {George  W.^),  b.  June  22,  1843;  ni.  May, 
1871),  Clara  E.  Hill  of  Belmont,  Mass. 

J.  Lucius^  Ellis  (George  TF.i),  b.  Jan.  27,  1845;  m.  Feb.  10, 
1869,  Grace  A.,  daughter  of  Mr.  Gurnsey,  of  Keene.  Children:  O. 
Mabel,  b.  in  Keene,  Sept.  8, 1871.  Jessie  G.,  b.  Jan.  18, 1873,  in  Som- 
erville,  Mass.  Maude  G.,  b.  July  18,  1877,  in  Waverly,  Mass,;  d. 
Sept.  9,  1878. 

Ella  W.2  Ellis  (George  WJ),  b.  INLarch  31,  1850;  m.  Oct.  23, 
1872,  Charles  W.  Pierce  of  Keene.  Children  :  Florence  L.,  b.  Aug. 
2,  1875.     Arthur  G.,  b.  Dec.  16,  1880. 

George  W.-  Ellis  (George^  of  Keene),  b.  March,  1829  ;  m.  July  3, 
1852,  Louisa  (b.  Sept.  28,  1827),  daughter  of  David  Hill.  Children  : 
Etta  Jane,  b.  Oct.  11,  1852  ;  m.  in  July,  1876,  James  Castle  ;  d.  March 
26,  1883.  Abbie  Louisa,  b.  March ^21,  1854;  ni.  Charles  Davis  of 
Bellows  Falls.  Emma  C,  b.  Oct.  24,  1855  ;  m.  Herbert  Raymond  of 
Keene.  George  T.,  b.  Jan.  24,  1858.  David,»b.  Nov.  28,  1859. 
Helen  Sophia,  b.  March  16,  1866.     Murter  K.,  b.  Sept.  24,  1868. 

George  T.^  Ellis  (George  TF.,-  George^  of  Keene),  b.  Jan.  24, 
1858  ;  m.  Minnie  Hendricks  of  Keene. 

ELLOR. 

Ldke  Ellor,  b.  March  31,  1836,  in  Canada;  m.  Dec.  16,1854, 
Harriet  M.  (b.  Dec.  25,  1835),  daughter  of  Josiah  B.  Cass.  Children: 
Mary  I.,  b.  Nov.  11,  1855  ;  d.  Nov.  9,  1859.  Emma  J.,  b.  March  8, 
1858;  m.  John  F.  Ballon.  George  C,  b.  July  14,  1861  ;  d.  Oct.  6, 
1870.  Eva  L.,  b.  Feb.  15,  1869  ;  m.  Frank  Carlton  of  Winchester, 
Plora  A.,  b.  Dec.  7,  1870;  m.  Fred  Spring.  Leon  C,  b.  Aug.  10, 
1873. 

EMERSON. 

Ezra2  Emerson  (CaleW  of  Marlborough),  h.  1788;  m.May  7,  1815, 
:Sally  (b.  1798;  d.  Nov.  26,  1878),  daughter  of  Oliver  Carter  of 
Marll)orough  ;  d.  Sept.  6,  1861.  Children  :  Franklin  Carter,  b.  Aug. 
19, 1815  ;  d.  young.     Lucinda  A.,  b.  May  21, 1817,  in  Marlborough  ; 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  335 

m.  Sylvester  Whitcomb.  Jerome  Oliver,  b.  Dec.  23,  1818.  Phebe 
Carter,  b.  Nov.  18,  1820.   Marietta,  b.  Apr.  21,  1822;  ra.  Jacob  Polly 

of  Gilsnm.  An  infant,  b.  June  1, 1824  ;  d. .  Joseph  Frencli,  b.  July 

12,  1825  ;  d.  Jan,  19, 1841.  Laura,  b.  Sept.  27,  1827  ;  m.,  1st,  George 
Kendall  of  Troy  ;  m.,  2nd,  Ansel  Martin  of  Richmond.  An  infant  son, 
b.  June  24,  1829.  Sally  M.,  b.  June  23,  1830;  d.  Sept.  19,  1837. 
Irena,  b.  March  6,  1836  ;  m.  —  Scott,  of  "Winchester. 

EMERY. 

George  E.3  Emery  (Daniel,^  Daniel^  of  York,  3fe.),  b.  Oct.  24, 
1846,  at  Great  Falls;  m.  Oct.  24,  1866,  Mary  (d.  Jan.  27,  1868), 
daughter  of  Theodore  Ricker  of  Great  Falls;  m.,  2nd,  March  12, 
1870,  Carrie  M.,  daughter  of  Mark  N.  Silsbee  of  Wakefield.  Cliil- 
dren:  George  F.,  b.  Jan.  15,  1868.  Edgar  C,  b.  Jan.  6,  1871. 
Archie  C,  b.  June  30,  1872  ;  d.  Jan.  10,  1878.  Frank  S.,  b.  Dec.  2, 
1874.  Berthold  L.,  b.  Oct.  6,  1877.  Addie  M.,  b.  Jan.  24,  1879. 
Raymond,  b.  June  15,  1886.  Florence  M.,  b.  Aug.  17,  1889  ;  d. 
Sept.  22,  1889. 

Edgar  C.^  Emery  (George  E.,^  Daniel,'^  Daniel^) ,  b.  Jan.  6,  1871 ; 
m.  Oct.,  1890,  Florence  M.  (b.  March  8,  1872),  daughter  of  Norris  C. 
Carter. 

EVANS. 

Homer  W.2  Evans  (Charles^  of  Halifax,  Vt.),  b.  Oct.  12,  1834; 
m.  March  11,  1862,  Mary  A.  (b.  Sept.  14,  1841),  daughter  of  James 
Stone  of  Readsborough,  Vt.  He  d.  June  11,  1884.  Children  :  Ned 
H.,  b.  Aug.  17,  1865.  Leon  E.,  b.  Oct.  7,  1874;  d.  Dec.  12,  1874. 
Maud  S.,  b.  Sept.  17,  1875. 

Henry  B.^  Evans  (Charles^),  b.  Feb.  7,  1841 ;  m.  Sept.  8,  1875, 
Julia  A.   Perry  of  Malone,  N.    Y.     -Child  :  Lelia  P.,    b.  June    14, 

1881. 

JoHN^  Evans  (Peter^  of  BoUon,  3/ass.),  b.  1711  ;  m.  Lydia  (b. 
Aug.  24,  1720;  d.  Apr.  2,  1806),  daughter  of  Benjamin  Doolittle  of 
Northfield,  Mass  ;  d.  Feb.  23,  1781,  in  Hinsdale.  Child  d.  in  Swan- 
zey  in  1740. 

EVELETH. 

Charles  E.^  Eveleth  (EUsha^  of  Marloio),h.  Aug.,  1854;  m. 
June  21,  1882,  Mary  Deziah  (b.  June  22,  1862),  daughter  of  Albert 
R.  Ballou.     Child  :  Lottie  M.,  b.  Feb.  1,  1889. 


336  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 


FAIRBANKS. 

Luther  Fairbanks  and  his  wife  Thankful  had  :  Luther  bapt.  Oct., 
1779.     Sarah,  bapt.  Dec.  24,  1780.     Abel,  bapt.  June  12,  1782. 

Calvin  Fairbanks  and  his  wife  Jennette  had:  Nathan,  d.  Jan. 
14,  1777.  Nathan,  2nd,  bapt.  Aug.  24,  1778.  Polly,  bapt.  July  15, 
1781.     Ebenezer,  bapt.  May  16,  1784.  Wilder,  bapt.  Aug.  24,  1788. 

FAULKNER. 

Stephen^  Faulkner  {William^  of  Chesterfield),  b.  Feb.  14, 1816  ; 

m.   June    27,  1847,  Adaline   T.  (b.   March    28,   1826),  daughter   of 

Samuel  Holbrook,  2d;  d.  Aug.  31,  1885.     Children:  Addie  Jane,  b. 

June  19,  1849.     Jonas,  b.  June  5,  1854  ;  d.  Sept.  9,  1854.   Frank  S., 

*b.  Apr.  22,  1857.     A.  Gertrude,  b.  Oct.  10,  1858. 

George  W.  Faulkner  of  Chesterfield,  b.  April  15,  1828  ;  ra.  June 
14,  1854,  Lizzie,  daughter  of  Calvin  Field.  Children  :  P^mraa  A.,  b. 
Nov.  12,  1855.  Almon  G.,  b.  July  30,  1800.  Charles  W.,b.  Aug. 
2,  1868 ;  d.  Jan.  4,  1877. 

FARNSVrORTH. 

MosES  Farnsworth,  m.  Jan.  15,  1789,  Martha,  daughter  of  Nathan 
Woodcock. 

John  Farnsworth,  m.  Oct.  12,  1791,  Bethiah  Harvej'. 

FARR. 

Alonzo^  Farr  {WUUam,^  Isaac^  of  Chesterfield,  N.  II.),  b.  May 
30,  1816,  in  Chesterfield  ;  m.,  1st,  Oct.  11, 1838,  Sarah  E.  (b.  Mtiy  4, 
1819),  daughter  of  Mason  Herrick  ;  ni.,  2nd,  Feb.  8,  1881,  Phebe  G. 
Stowell  (b.  May  14,  1822,  in  Newfane,  Vt.)  ;  came  from  Keene  to 
Ssvanzey  in  1870.  Cliildren  :  Sarah  J.,  b.  Oct.  18,  1839  ;  m.  William 
P.  Coburn,  Oct.  24,  1859.  Helen  A.,  b.  June  21,  1841  ;  m.  Charles 
S.  Fay,  Sept.  13,  1865;  d.  July  17,  1889.  Martha  Ette,  b.  July  2, 
1847  ;  d.  June  18,  1848.  Lloyd  A.,  b.  March  16,  1819  ;  d.  Sept.  16, 
1849.  Fred  W.,  b.  Oct.  18,  1854  ;  m.  April  22,  1878,  Ellen  E.  Bolles 
daughter  of  Randall  Bolles  ;  d.  May  29,  1884. 

Fred  M.  Farr,  m.  May  30,  1858,  Mary  J,,  daughter  of  Elijah 
Hills  ;  resides  in  Keene. 

Henry  I.  Farr,  m.  Oct.  21,  1856,  Sarah  E.  Wright  (b.  in  Syra- 
cuse, N.  y.,  March  8,  1830 ;  d.  April  25,  1887,  in  Swanzey).     Chil- 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  337 

dren  :  Oscar  R.,  b.  Nov.  26,  1857,  in  Waterford,  Vt.     Walter  P.,  b. 
June  4,  1866,  in  Putne}^ 

Oscar  R.2  Farr  {Henry  7.i),  b.  Nov.  26,  1857  ;  m.  Aug.  21, 1884, 
Emma  L.  (b.  in  Grafton,  Vt.),  daughter  of  E.  B.  Rugg.  Children: 
G.  Bernard,  b.  July  18,  1886  ;  d.  Feb.  7,  1887.     W.  Percy,  b.  March 

26,  1888. 

Walter  P.^  Farr  {Henry^),  b.  June  4,  1866,  in  Putnej',  Vt. ;  m. 
Nov.  30,  1889,  Mrs.  Gertrude  M.  Simonds  (b.  1861),  daughter  of 
John  Q.  A.  Wilson. 

FARRIS. 

Samuel  S.-  Farris  {Samuel,^  of  Yarmouth,  Mass.),  b.  Jan.  23, 
1805  ;  m.  May  7,  1855,  Clementine  R.  (b.  March  23,  1819),  daughter 
of  Elisha  Ramsdell.  He  d.  Sept.  7, 1878.  Child  :  Hattie  E.,  b.  July 
18,  1857  ;  m.  Frank  Hewes. 

FASSETT. 

Albert  A.  Fassett,  of  Winchester,  m.  Nov.  18,  1846,  Rachel  (b. 
Oct.  24,  1816),  daughter  of  Al)el  Dickinson.  Children  :  Hattie  E., 
Henry,  b.  Apr.  18,  1849.    Walter  C. 

Henrt2  Fassett  (Albert^),  b.  Apr.,  1849  ;  m.  Nov.  5,  1876,  Mary 
J.,  daughter  of  Joseph  W.  Cummings  of  Keene.  Child  :  Warren  H., 
b.  March  2,  1880. 

fessenden. 
Timothy^  Fessenden  had  children :    Timothy.  John.  Lucy,  b.  June 
26,  1795  ;  ra.  Israel  Applin.  Sally,  d.  Jan.  15,  1826.  Nathan.  Nancy, 
m.  Benjamin  Applin.      Benjamin  and  Charles. 

Timothy'-^  Fessenden  {Timothy^),  m.  Dec.  15,  1814,  Angelina 
(bapt.  Sept.  16,  1798),  daughter  of  Mathew  Robley. 

Nathan^ Fessenden  (Timothy^) ,  m.  Maria,  daughter  of  Levi  Blake. 

field. 
Calvin  Field,  b.  May  4,  1787,  in  Winchester  ;  m.,  1st,  Lovice  (b. 
June  28,  1798),  daughter  of  John  BoUes  of  Richmond  ;  m.,  2nd,  Feb. 
28,  1830,  Sarah  Poraroy.  Children  :  Willard,  b.  Sept.  25, 1819.  Lizzie, 
m.  June  14,  1854,  G.  W.  Faulkner. 


338  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

WiLLARD^  Field  (Oalvin^),  b.  Sept.  25,1819;  m.  Nov.  6, 1859, 
Sophia,  diuighter  of  Artenius  Kixfoid  of  "Winchester. 

Ltman^  Field  (Phinehas^  of  Winchester),  rn.  Feb.  11,  1829,  Lucy 
Read  (d.  June  3,  1866).  Chihben  :  Elsie,  b.  1833  ;  ni.  Arzu  Iliggins; 
d.  Feb.  5,  1873.     Lyman,  b.  Nov.  20,  1837  ;  d.  June  18,  1862. 

Jekome  C.2  Field  (Erastus^  of  Winchester),  b.  May  24,  1831  ;  m., 
1st,  Electa  Guillovv  of  Gilsuin  ;  m.,  2nd,  Dec,  1859,  INIaiy  Ellen, 
daughter  of  Stephen  Fay,  of  Walpole.  Children  :  Mary  E.,  b.  Sept. 
14,  1861.     Mattie  J.,  b.  Oct.  25,  1863. 

Zachariah  Field  of  Winchester,  m.  Oct.  21,  1811,  Meril)ah  (b. 
March  27,  1785),  daughter  of  John  Pierce.  Children:  Alvin,  George, 
b.  1814.  Bradford,  b.  1816.  Harriet,  b.  1819.  Gilbert,  1821.  Syl- 
via, b.  1821. 

FIFIELD. 

Stillman- FiFiELD  {Paxil^  of  Roxbury),h.  June  12,  1802  ;  m.  Sept. 
28,  1828,  Julia  Robbins  (b.  in  1808s  d.  Apr.  5,  1881),  of  Nelson; 
d.  Dec.  15,  1878. 

FISH. 

Seth  Fish  and  wife  had  Lois,  b.  Ma3'  31,  1781.  Chloe,  b.  Nov. 
23,  1782.     Susanna,  b.  Jan.  25,  1786.     Esther,  b.  in  Aug.,  1787. 

Farnum  Fish,  b.  In  Uxbridge,  Mass.,  March  5,  1775;  m.  Feb.  25, 
1796,  Rachel  Thnyer  (b.  Aug.  27,  1778,  in  Mendon,  Mass  ;  d.  Oct.  20, 
1845)  ;  d.  July  14,  1826.  Children  :  Rachel  T.,  b.  July  27,  1796;  m. 
Ezekiel  Lane.  Nathaniel,  b.  Feb.  18, 1799.  Susan,  b.  Nov.  19,1802; 
m.,  1st,  Feb.  6,  1822,  Alpheus  Bridge;  ra.,  2d,  Feb.  3,  1828,  Daniel 
Slate  of  Bernardston,  Mass.  Mary,  b.  Feb.  17,  1805;  d.  Aug.  9, 
1840.  Amos  F.,  b.  Apr.  29,  1809.  Ezra  T.,  b.  May  28,  1813.  Caro- 
line, b.  Feb.  20,  1816;  m.  Abram  Spofford,  May  6,  1841. 

Nathaniel-  Fish  (Farman^  of  Uxbridge),  h.  Feb.  18,  1799;  m. 
May  10,  1823,  Judith  (1).  in  1798;  d.  Nov.  20,  1837),  daughter  of 
Barzillai  Streeter;  d.  May  13,  1839.  Children:  Rachel,  b.  Oct.  14, 
1824  ;  m.  Alonzo  F.  Lane.  Nancy  B.,  b.  Sept.  24,  1827  ;  m.  Josiah 
Parsons.     Susan  M.,  b.  Feb.  1,  1830  ;  m.  Elisha  F.  Lane. 

AmosF.2  Fish  (Farnum^),  b.  Apr.  29,  1809;  m.  Aug,  26,  1834, 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  339 

Lovilla  (1),  Nov.  3,  1812),  daugliter  of  John  Stratton.  Children: 
Fayette  Farnum,  b.  Aug.  22,  1836  ;  d.  March  3,  1839.  John  Strat- 
ton, b.  Sept.  19,  1838.  Nathaniel  F.,  b.  Dec.  15,  1840;  d.  May  5, 
1842.  Ezra  Farnum,  b.  Oct.  22,  1843.  Ellen  R.,  b.  July  15,  1848  ; 
adopted  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Alexander. 

Ezra  Thayer"2  Fish  (Farnum^),  b.  May  28,  1813;  m.  Apr.  28, 
1850,  Sarah  Jane  Campbell  (b.  Feb.  9,  1827)  ;  d.  March  14,  1886. 
Children  :  Ella  Amanda,  b.  March  23,  1851.  Adeline  S.,  b.  Dec.  5, 
1854;  d.  May  29,  1855.  Caroline  Susan,  b.  Dec.  5,  1854;  d.  July 
15,  1858.  P^arnum  Thayer,  b.  Nov.  24,  1857.  William  Campbell, 
b.  July  23,  1860.     Charles  Winthrop. 

FITZGERALD. 

John  Fitzgerald,  b.  in  Kerry  County,  Ireland,   in   1825;   m.   in 

1849,  Joanna  Murphy  (b.  1828).     Children  :  Thomas  J.,  b.  Nov.  28, 

1850.  Kate  C,  b.  Dec.  5,  1852  ;  m.  Charles  Hanrahan.  Mary  Ann, 
b.  Sept.  8,  1854;  d.  Dec,  1862.  Joanna,  b.  Dec.  6,  1856  ;  d.  Jan. 
1863.  John,  d.  Jan.,  1863.  Frank,  d.  young.  Elizabeth  Jane,  b.  Jan. 
25,  1866.    Charles,  b.  in  1868  ;  d.  in  1870. 

Thomas  J.2  Fitzgerald  (Johu^),h.  Nov.  28,  1850;  m.  Feb.  23, 
1879,  Ann  Dorothy  McPhee  of  Prince  Edward  Island.  Children: 
Mary  A.,  b.  Nov.  1,  1880.  John  M.,  b.  Jan.  31,  1884.  Laura,  b. 
Aug.  30,  1885.     Vincent,  b.  Jan.  14,  1887. 

TiMOTHy  Fitzgerald  and  wife  Ellen  Leahey,  b.  in  Ireland.  Chil- 
dren :    Mary  A.,  b.  Jidy  20,  1875.    Frank  A.     George. 

FLINT. 

Benjamin  Flint,  b.  in  Winchester,  Nov.  17,  1784  ;  m.  Jan.  1,  1811, 
Harriet  Rixford  (b.  Sept.  24,  1793,  in  Winchester).  Children  :  AVil- 
liam  R.,  b.  June  19,  1812,  in  Stowe,  Vt.  Harriet,  b.  Aug.  13,  1813, 
in  Stowe,  Vt.  Swain  S.,  b.  Dec.  21,  1818,  in  Winchester.  Wilson,  b. 
Sept.  11,  1820,  in  Youugstown,  Ohio.  Ephraim,  b.  iu  Bloomfield, 
Ohio,  Oct.  30,  1822;  d.  in  Swanzey.  Lucy  A.,  b.  Nov.  6,  1824,  in 
Bloomfield,  Ohio;  m.  Mr.  Rice  of  South  Royalston,  Mass.  Mary,  b. 
May  15,  1827,  in  Winchester;  d.  in  N.  Y.  City.  Hepzi,  b.  Sept.  20, 
1859,  in  Winchester;  d.  in  W^inchester.  Daniel,  b.  May  9,  1832,  in 
Swanze3\ 

William  R.^  Flint  (Benjamin^),  b,  June  19, 1812,  and  his  wife  Han- 
nah, had  :  Royal  M.,  b.  Feb.  28, 1836.  Harriet  Rand,  b.  Oct.  1,  1837  ; 


340  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 

d.  Aug.  30,  1841.  James  William,  b.  Jan.  28,  1839;  d,  Feb.  22, 
1839.  Hannah  Rand,  b.  Sept.  24,  1840.  Eliza  Abbie,  b.  Nov.  27, 
1842. 

Royal  M.^  Flint  {William  R.,^  Benjamin^),  b.  Feb.  28,  1836  ;  m. 
Fanny  M.,  daughter  of  Mellen  Ilolbrook. 

FOLLET. 

John  FoLLET  and  his  wife  Rachel  had  :  John,  Hannah,  d.  Dec. 
13,  1770.   Hiram,  b.  June  18,  1770. 

JoiiN^  FoLLET  (John^),  m.,  1st,  Dec.  7,  1773,  Christian  (d.  Feb. 
11,  1778),  daughter  of  Samuel  Belding;  m.,  2(1,  Feb.  9,  1779,  Sybil 
Willard  of  Winchester.  Ciiildren:  Silas,  d.  Sept.  2,  1777.  Luther, 
d.  Sept.  5,  1777.    Levi,  b.  June  6,  1776. 

FORBUSH. 

Hiram-  Foubush  {Daniel^  of  Harvard,  3fass.),  b.  Dec.  13,  1812; 
m.  Aug.  20,  1836,  Lucina  L.  (b.  Jan.  27,  1816;  d.  Sept.  8,  1870), 
daugliter  of  Asa  Willis  of  Winchester;  d.  Sept.  24,  1883.  Ciiildren: 
Nellie  M.,  b.  Apr.  15,  1840;  m.  George  S.  Ellis.  Lucius  M.,  b. 
Aug.  3,  1841 ;  d.  Sept.  24,  1866,  in  Iowa.  Fay  M.,  b.  Sept.  5,  1843  ; 
d.  Dec.  17,  1864,  iu  Marlborough.  Charles  H.,  b.  Jan.  10,  1846.  Net- 
tie L.,  b.  July  29,  1848  ;  m.  J.  Frank  Perry  of  Worcester,  Mass. 
Emma  E.,  b.  Jul}'  28,  1850  ;  m.  Solon  W.  Nelson  of  Worcester.  Anna 
L.  S.,  b.  Jan.  8,  1856  ;  d.  July  26,  1857. 

FORRISTALL. 

Franklin  B.^  Forristall  (Josfjyh  MA  of  Troy),  b.  Dec.  15,  1821  ; 
m.  Sept.  15,  1846,  Martha  Ann  (b.  Nov.  24,  1827  ;  d.  Oct.  7,  1890, 
in  Keene),  daughter  of  William  Lawrence;  d.  May  5,  1884.  Chil- 
dren :  Marietta,  m.  Levi  Randall  ;  d.  Nov.  21,  1890.  Jane,  d.  June 
5,  1884.     George  H. 

Joseph  N.^  Forristall  {Joseph  MA),  b.  April  19,  1826  ;  m  Sept. 
10,  1851,  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  Abner  Haskell  of  Troy;  d.  June 
1,  1871.     Child:  Willie. 

FOSTER. 

Amos  Foster,  d.  March  2, 1761,  and  Mary,  his  wife,  d.  Feb.  5,  1761. 

Joel  Foster,  m.  Jan.  24,  1793,  Martha,  daughter  of  Philemon 
Whitcomb.  Children  :  Patty,  m.  Willard  Whitcomb.  Hannah,  b. 
Apr.  20,  1794. 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  341 

Nathaniel  Foster,  m.  Feb.  16,  1797,  Silence  (b.  Dec.  3,  1772), 
daughter  of  Philemon  Whitcomb.  A  child,  b.  in  1805  ;  d.  Dec.  5, 
1814. 

Abraham  Foster  had  a  child  b.  Sept.  12,  1812  ;  d.  March  12, 
1813. 

Joel2  Foster  {Joel^),  m.  Betsey  (b.  May  19,  1806;  d.  April  11, 
1890),  daughter  of  Amos  Richardson;  removed  to  Waitsfield,  Vt., 
where  both  died  leaving  a  son  Joel,  and  a  daughter  who  m.  O.  C. 
Campbell  of  Omaha. 

Philemon  W.2  Foster  (NathanieP),h.  1807  ;  m.  June,  1835,  Mar- 
iam  (b.  June  9,  1817),  daughter  of  John  Stratton  ;  d.  March  20,  1877. 
Children  :  Mary  J.,  b.  1836  ;  d.  Aug.  15,  1847.  Helen  S.,  b.  1839  ; 
m.  Charles  L.  Pond  (d.  Oct.  19,  1873)  ;  d.  July  3,  1860.  Edson  H., 
b.  1841.  Julia  B.,  b.  1844;  m.  Charles  G.  Howard  of  Winchester, 
in  1866;  d.  May  21,  1871.  Emogene  S.,  b.  1846;  ra.  Feb.  28, 
1864,  Daniel  A.  Potter,  Middlebury,  Vt.  Jennie  M.,  b.  1848;  m. 
Clarence  A.  Parker.  Flora  H.,  b.  1851  ;  m.  Edwin  H.  Aldrich.  Fred 
W.,  b.  July  16,  1853.  Abbie  L.,  b.  Dec.  26,  1857;  m.  May  13,  1879. 
Willie  M.  Moore,  of  Hadley,  Mass.  Clinton,  b.  1859  ;  d.  March  27, 
1860. 

FOWLER. 

Rev.  Thomas  L."^  Fowler  {David,'^  b.  1783,  yl&ner,^  b.  1753,  Sam- 
uel,^ b.  1722,  Jacob,^  b.  1692,  Samuel,^  b.  1660,  Abner,^  b.  1635  in 
Killarney,  Munster  County^  Ireland),  b.  Oct.  10,  1823,  in  Bridgewa- 
ter,  N.  H.  ;  m.,  1st,  Aug.  20,  1844,  Mary  F.  (d.  1847)  daughter  of 
Rev.  Benjamin  Hazelton  of  Northfield ;  m.,  2nd,  May  10,  1848, 
Nanc}'  M.  (1).  Feb.  25, 1827,  in  Windsor,  Me.),  daughter  of  Levi  Giles. 
Children:  Eugene  A.,  b.  Feb.  1,  1846.  Herschel  J.,  b.  Apr.  23, 
1849.  Orrin  R.,  b.  May  21,  1851.  Oris  Lee,  b.  April  13,  1853  ;  d. 
April,  1854.     Manson  L.,  b.  Feb.  3,  1859. 

FOX. 

Salmon  H.^  Fox  (Jared^  of  Bernardston,  Mass.),  b.  Nov.  25, 1822  ; 
m.,  1st,  April  21, 1847,  Mary  Thayer  (d.  Dec.  5,  1848,  aged  28 years), 
of  Bernardston,  Mass.  ;  m.,  2nd,  Apr.  16,  1851,  Harriet  (b.  July  6, 
1832  ;  d.  Dec.  6,  1860),  daughter  of  David  Wilson  ;  m.,  3rd,  Dec.  1, 
1864,  Almira  J.  (b.  1832),  sister  to  Alfred  Marble  of  Hinsdale. 
Children  :  Mary,  b.  May  6,  1852  ;  m.  Frank  L.  Snow.  Willie,  b. 
Jan.  3,  1859  ;  d.  Sept.  30,  1881. 


342  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 


FRANKLIN. 

Ebenezeu  Fkanklin  and  his  wife  Esther  had:  Esther,  b.  July  29, 
1798.     Nathaniel,  b.  Feb.  28,  1800. 

FRARY. 

Jonathan  Frary  and  Prudence,  his  wife,  had  :  Prudence,  bapt.  Oct. 
4,  1743. 

John  Fuary  and  Abigail,  his  wife,  had  :  Mai-y,  b.  Nov,  25,  1752  ; 
m.  Feb.  16,  1772,  John  Pierce.  John,  b.  June  4,  1755;  d.  John,  b. 
1757.  Sarah,  b.  June  7,  1759  ;  d.  March  23,  1777.  Abigail,  b.  Feb. 
10,  17G1  ;  ni.  AVilliam  Hills.  Pliebe,  b.  Sept.  4,  1763.  Jonathan,  b. 
in  Feb.,  1770.     Sarah,  m.  April  26,  1802,  Caleb  Chase. 

FREEMAN. 

Amos  Freeman,  m,  Sept.  12,  1786,  Delilah  Hill. 

Asa  Freeman  m.  Dec.  30,  1790,  Thankful  (b.  Jan.  19,  1767), 
daughter  of  Thomas  Applin.     Child  :  Ahaz,  b.  Nov.  3,  1791. 

Ebenezer  Freeman  m.  Feb.  7, 1791,  Betty  Wilson. 

Amos  H.^  Freeman  {Luther^  oj  Glens  Falls,  N.Y.),  b.  Apr.  9,1817; 
m.  Jan.  17,  1838,  Harriet  E.,  daughter  of  Asa  Hemenway  of  Granville, 
N.  Y.  Children  :  Georgianna,  b.  Aug.  15,  1839,  Sarah  R.,  b.  Ma}', 
1843.  Emma  H.,  b.  Aug.  8,  1845  ;  d.  May  30,  1874.  Flora  E.,  b. 
May  14,  1849. 


FRENCH. 

James  French  and  Malinda  Sluuv  were  m.  Jan.  19,  1868. 

Albert  A.^  French  (Luke^  of  Jaffrey),h.  Feb.  10,  1846  ;  m.  Jan. 
26,  1872,  Ella  F.  (b.  Aug.  20,  1849),  daughter  of  John  S.  Lawrence. 
Children  :  Rosa  M,,  b,  July  19,  1875,     AV^ilmer  O.,  b.  Dec.  21,  1879. 

Jonah  and  Melatiah  French  had  Silas  and  Melatiah,  bapt,  July  14, 
1754. 

FRINK. 

Calvin  Frink  and  his  wife  Sarah  had  :  Arethusa,  b.  May  9,  1773  ; 
m.  Thomas  Trowbridge.  Sarah,  b,  Sept.  17, 1779.  Wyman,  b.  Sept. 
16,  1784. 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  343 

JosiAH  Fkink,  m.  Feb.  1, 1790,  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Samuel  Smead 
of  Montague,  Mass.     Child:  Samuel. 

Samdel^  Frink  (Josiah^),  m.  July  11,  1816,  Damaris  (b.  1786), 
daughter  of  Philemon  Whitcomb.  He  d.  Apr.  1,  1826.  Children: 
Jotham  W.    Isabel. 

JoTHAM  Whitcomb^  Frink  {Samuel,-  Josiah^),  b.  1817;  m.  Julia 
(b.  Jan.  10,  1823;  d.  July  9,  1883),  daughter  of  John  Stratton. 
Child:  Willie,  d.  young. 

Orlando  Frink,  b.  in  Greenfield,  Mass.,  March  10,  1809  ;  m.,  1st, 
Apr.  20,  1830,  Eunice  Russell  (b.  in  AValpole,  March  7,  1808  ;  d.  Oct. 
23,  1852  ;m.,  2iid,  March  1,  1853,  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Ebenezer 
Willard,  Winchester ;  d.  Apr.  16,  1877.  Children  :  Mary  E.,  b.  July 
23,  1831  ;  ni.  Judson  A.  Read.  Henry  C,  b.  March  9,  1836.  Sarah 
E.,  in.  Charles  Maynard  of  Berlin,  Mass.  Fanny  M.,  b.  Nov.  28, 
1853  ;  d.  March  19,  1866.  EmmaL.,  b.  Nov.  1,  1855  ;  m.  Willard  B. 
Smith.  Charles  H.,  b.  Sept.  19,  1860  ;  ra.  April  8,  1883,  Mary  L. 
(b.  Oct.  2,  1860),  daughter  of  Josiah  Stebbins,  of  Jaffrey. 

FROST. 

Ephraim  Kimball  Frost  b.  in  Jaffre}',  Dec.  17,  1790  ;  m.  Nov.  11, 
1813,  Persis  (b,  June  19,  1790;  d.  in  Burlington,  Iowa,  March  4, 
1872),  daughter  of  Jonadab  Baker,  of  Marlborough  ;  d.in  Lincoln,  Ne- 
braska, Nov.  23,  1870.  Children  :  Charles,  b.  Sept.  3, 1814  ;  d.  Sept- 
23,1814.  Feronia,  b.  Dec.  26,  1816;  m.  George  N.  Sherwood  of 
McDonough,  N.  Y.  Lyman,  b.  Feb.  10,  1820.  Lafayette  S.,  b. 
June  4,  1824.  Caroline  and  Emcline,  b.  Jan.  12,  1826  ;  Caroline  d. 
Jul}' 3,  1830;  Eineline,  m.  John  Speed  Lee,  of  Wellsville,  N.  Y. 
Franklin,  b.  Apr.  1-1,  1831. 

Charles^  Frost  {Benjamin^  of  Marlhorovgh) ,  b.  July  8, 1789  ;  m., 

1st,  Feb.  23,  1824,  Sarah (d.  Feb.  28,  1826)  ;   m.,  2nd,  Vilura, 

daughter  of  Joseph  Slate;  d.  Apr.  17,  1866.  Ciiildren  :  Jane  Char- 
lotte, b.  Apr.  3,  1842.  Henry  Morse  and  Charles  Roberts,  b.  March 
31,  1814;  Charles,  d.  Oct.  4,  1849. 

FULLER. 

Amasa^  Fuller  (Isaac^  of  Troy)  b.  Dec.  7,  1797;  m.,  1st,  Anna 
(b.  July  5,  1801  ;  d.  June  19,  1826) ,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Bemis  of 
Troy;  m.,  2nd,  Jan.  11,  1827,  Hannah  Jackson  (b.  Nov.  5,  1803; 


344  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

d.  April  5,  1845),  of  Wallingfonl,  Vt. ;  m/,  3rd,  Oct.  2,  1845,  Maiy 
Knight  (Widow  Hager)  b.  Feb.  14,  1802  ;  m.,  4tli,  in  1857,  Lovey  P. 
Kidder  (1).  Oct.  6,  1814),  of  Mailborongh.  He  d.  July  18,  1879. 
Children:  Isaac,  b.  Aug.  10,  1819.  Elmira,  I).  Apr.  9,  1822  ;m. 
Stephen  Hanis.  Anna,  b.  Feb.  14,  1826;  d.  Nov.  23,  1826.  A 
daugiiter,  b.  June  11,  1828;  d.  July  18,  1828.  A  son,  b.  Apr.  29, 
1829;  d.  Apr.  30,  1829.  Elvira,  b.  Sept.  21,  1830;  d.  March  14, 
1832.  A  daughter,  b.  March  1,  1832;  d.  March  6,  1833.  Aniasa, 
b.  Sept.  28,  1833.  Levi  A.,  b.  May  4,  1836.  A  son,  b.  July  1, 
1838  ;  d.  same  da3'.     Erwin  J.,  b.  Sept.  19,  1839. 

Levi  A.^  Fuller  (Amasa,'^  Isaac^),  b.  May  4,  1836  ;  m.,  1st,  Feb. 
22,  1860,  Elvira  L.  (b.  June  4,  1839;  d.  Nov.  15,  1865) ,  adopted 
daughter  of  Joseph  P.  Bemis ;  m.,  2nd,  Oct.  30,  1866,  Emily  L.  (b. 
July  28,  1848),  daughter  of  Dr.  Willard  Adams.  Children  :  Cora  A., 
b.  June  24,  1862;  d.  July  27,  1862.  Elmer  A.,  b.  Dec.  27,  1863. 
Ida  E.,  b.  Nov.  16,  1871.  AV^alter  T.,  b.  July  6,  1876.  Cora  Anstris, 
b.  July  2,  1887. 

GARY. 

Joseph  O.^  Gary  {Aaron^  of  Keene),  b.  Aug.  19,  1819  ;  m.  Sept. 
29,  1844,  Eliza  Jane  (b.  May,  1825),  daughter  of  Hiram  Underwood. 
He  d.  July  26,  1890.  Children  :  Joseph  E.  and  Francis  E.  (twins), 
b.  Feb.  15,  1846;  Joseph  E.  d.  March  11,  1847.  Edna  M.  and  Ella 
M.  (twins),  b.  Dec.  19,  1847;  Ella  M.  was  stillborn,  Edna  d.  a  few 
months  later.  Edna  M.,  b.  July  27,  1849  ;  d.  Aug.  15,  1851.  Jose[)h 
E.,b.  Sept.  18,  1851.  Gertrude  M.,b.  Aug.  1,  1856  ;  ra.  May  25,  1886, 
William  K.  Merrill  of  Paterson,  N.  J. 

gates. 

RuFUS^  Gates  (Elijah^  of  Marlborough),  b.  Sept.  12,  1807  ;  m.  May 
12,  1836,  Minerva(b.  May  12,  1812),  daughter  of  Ezeldel  Page.  He 
died  in  Keene. 

Lyjian  Gates,  m.  Fanu}'  Ann,  daughter  of  Consider  Carpenter. 
Children  :  Elbridge,  b.  July  4,  1841  ;  d.  Aug.  12,  1843.  Edwin  G., 
b.  Sept.  30,  1842.     Ellen,  b.  May  26,  1844 ;  d.  June  17,  1855. 

GAY. 

Seth  Gay  m.,  1st,  Sarah (d.  Apr.  7,  1756)  ;  m.,  2nd,  March 

7, 1776,  Sarah  Parker.  Children  :  Chloe  and  Lois  bapt.  Aug.  18,  1754:. 
Silas,  bapt.  Dec.  14,  1755.     A  child  d.  about  Apr.  7,  1756. 


GENEALOGICAL    RECORDS.  345 

JoHN^  Gat  who  came  to  America  in  1630,  was  the  emigrant  ances- 
tor of  Willard^  Gay  of  Svvanzey. 

• 

WiLLARD  Gay,  b.  Feb.  8,  1811,  in  West  Dedham,  Mass;  m.,  1st, 
Fanny,  daughter  of  Caleb  "Wright  of  Keene ;  m.,  2nd,  in  1843,  Emily 
H.  (d.  Jan.  21,  1886),  daughter  of  Samuel  Farwell,  of  Nelson;  d. 
1882.  Children:  George  W.,  b.  Jan.  14,  1842.  Ella  H.,  b.  Feb.  4, 
1844  ;  ra.  Zina  G.  Taft.  Phineas  Ellis,  b.  May  10,  1846.  Annie,  b. 
Nov.  22,  1847  ;  m.  Calvin  E.  Hills. 

George  W.^  Gay(,  Willard,^  Jo/m^),  b.  Jan.  14, 1842  ;  m.,  1st,  Mary 
E.  (d.  Feb.  22, 1873),  daughter  of  B.  F.  Hutchinson,  of  Milford  ;  m., 
2nd,  a  daughter  of  J.  H.  Hathorn,  of  Boston,  Mass. 

Phineas  Ellts^  Gay  (  Willard,^  John^),h.  May  10, 1846  ;  m.  Lizzie 
G.  (b.  May  9,  1850),  daughter  of  Elijah  Hills.  Children  :  Winnie,  b. 
Aug.  1,  1873.     Willard,  b.  March,  1881. 

GILMORE. 

Jeremiah  Gilmore,  m.  F'eb.  2,  1806,  Rebecca  (b.  July  4,  1773), 
daughter  of  Joseph  Dickinson. 

Charles  G.  Gilmore,  taxed  in  1860  ;  m.  Fanny  M.  (b.  Feb.  27, 
1843),  daughter  of  Orrin  Dickinson  ;  lives  in  Keene. 

GODDARD. 

Edward  Goddard,  1st,  b. ;  Lois  Howe  (b.  in  1749  ;  d.  Dec. 

26,  1838).  He  d.  Oct.  13,  1811.  Children  :  Nathan  and  Edward,  twins, 
bapt.  Nov.  6,  1770;  Nathan,  d.  Nov.  6,  1770;  Edward,  d.  Aug.  27, 
1776.  Hephzibah,  b.  Aug.  26,  1773;  d.Aug.  20,  1776.  Hephzibah, 
b.  Nov.  1776  ;  m.  Jan.,  1813,  Jonathan  Hammond.  Edward,  b.  Dec. 
31,  1778.  Nathan  Howe.  b.  Marclf  4,  1781.  Hapgood,  b.  Apr.  12, 
1783.  Eunice,  b.  Aug.  11,  1785  ;  m.  Jan.  18,  1826,  Aaron  Goddard 
of  Reading,  Vt.  Infant  child  d.  in  1786.  Lois,  b.  Nov.  21,  1788  ;  d. 
Lois,  b.  Dec.  3,  1792;  d.  May  21,  1793. 

Edward-  Goddard  (EdtvarcV),  b.  Dec.  31,  1778;  m.,  1st,  Sept, 
5,  1804,  Sabe  (b.  Feb.  12,  1781  ;  d.  Jan.  28,  1816),  daughter  of  Levi 
Durant;  m.,  2nd,  Jan.  29,  1819,  Loma  Augusta  (d.  March  18,  1849), 
daughter  of  John  Hastings  of  Charlestown  ;  ra.,  3d,  Nov.  6,  1853, 
Mrs.  Roxana  Stone  (widow  Woodcock)  ;  he  d.  May  18,  1856.  Chil- 
dren :   Esther,   m.   David   Parsons,   Dec.  8,   1833.      Mary,   m.    Eli 


346  HISTORY    OF    SWANZEY. 

Hunt.  Aurolia,  m.  George  Whitcomh,  April  13,  1836.  Alvira, 
b.  June  8,  181G;  m.  Lovell  Tai't,  Oct.  29,  1838.  Louisa,  m.,  1st, 
Samuel  C.  Oliver,  June  10,  1830;  ui.,  2n(l,  William  B.  Kimball.  Ar- 
villa,  m.  Oct.  4,  1835,  Amos  II.  Bulleii.     Edward  II.    James  M. 

t     

Edward  H.^  Goddard  {Edivaixl,^  EdioarO}),  d.  in  Swanze\' ;  farm 
between  Swanzey  and  Keene. 

Wii.LTAM  Goddard  and  Rlioda  Beverstock  were  m.  Dec.  20,  1792. 

GOODELL. 

Elhridge  G.  Goodell  of  Winchester,  m.  Feb.  21,  1830,  Rel)ecca 
Darling  (d.  IVIa^'  29,  1834).  Children  :  Julia  INI.,  an  adopteil  daugh- 
ter, m.  Sept.  5,  1875,  Humphrey  G.  Eaton(b.  Mai'ch  9,  1849). 

Wyman  J.2  GoODELL  (Jonalhrm'^),  h.  March,  1849;  ni.  June  9, 
1871,  Mary  R.,  daughter  of  Edwin  Hill.  Ciiihb-en  :  Harry  W.,  b. 
Jan.  16,  1872.  Mary  B.,  b.  Oct.  9,  1«74.  Martha  A.,  b.  Feb.,  1, 
1876.  Fred  P.,  b.  Aug.  16,  1878.  Fanny  M.,  b.  June  27,  1881  ;  d. 
June  29,  1882.     Ethel  R.,  b.  July  2,  1883. 

GOODnUE. 

Daniel  Goodhue,  m.  Betty,  daughter  of  John  Whitcomb.  Chil- 
dren :  Richard  Weeks,  b.  Oct.  7,  1793.  Daniel.  Patty.  Ruhamah 
Whitcomb,  b.  1811  ;  m.  Aquilla  R.  Taft. 

goodnoav. 

Franklin  Goodnow,  m.  May  20,  1826,  Philena,  daughter  of  E[)h- 
raim  Page. 

William  W.  Goodnows  m.  Oct.  19,  1839,  Sophia  (b.  May  12, 
1812),  daughter  of  Peter  Ilolbrook. 

GRAVES. 

Abraham  Graves,  b.  1690  ;  d.  Oct.  28,  1777  ;  Thankful,  his  wife, 
d.  March  12,  1775.  Children  :  Elizabeth,  m.  Nathan  Blake  of  Keene, 
in  1741.  Asahel.  Abraham,  d.  Nov.  16,  1745.  Joshua.  Lydia, 
ni.  Charles  Howe  of  Marlborough,  Mass.,  Apr.  8,  1746.  Mar}',  m. 
Elijah  Scott  of  Sunderland,  Mass.,  May  25,  1756.  Sarah,  m.  Sam- 
uel Hills,  June  27,  1758.  Mehitable,  m.  William  Wright,  Aug.  27, 
1758.     Elijah.     Abner.     Lucy,  m.  David  Belding,  2d,  Feb.  7,  1770. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  347 

Joshua^  Graves  (Abraham^),  m.  Oct.  12,  1758,  Lydia  Woodcock. 
Children:  Martha,  b.  April  29,  1759;  m.  Uriah  How.  Asahel,  b. 
Aug.  25,  1761.  Lydia,  b.  Jan.  25,  1764.  Meletiah,  b. 'Jan.  20, 
1766  ;  ra.  Abijah  Sawyer.  Hephzibah,  b.  March  26,  1768.  Joshua, 
b.  Apr.  19,  1770.  Benjamin,  b.  May  19,  1772.  Hannah,  b.  Feb.  15, 
1784. 

Elijah^  Graves  (Abraham^)  and  his  wife  Submit  had :  Elijah. 
Gad,  bapt.  Sept.  18,  1763. 

Abner2  Graves  (Abraham^)  and  his  wife  Dorcas  had:  Sarah,  b. 
Nov.  3,  1765.  John,  b.  Jan.  20,  1771.  Isaac,  b.  Apr.  13,  1775.  Dor- 
cas, b.  June  9,  1778  ;  m.  Elisha  Scott. 

Joshua^  Graves  (Joshua,^  Abraham^),  b.  Apr.  19,  1770;  m.  Jan. 
1,  1789,  Sarah  (b.  Feb.  1,  1767),  daughter  of  Caleb  Sawyer.  Chil- 
dren :  Sarah,  b.  Dec.  5,  1789.  Ira,  b.  Jan.  9,  1793.  Rufus,  b. 
Dec.  13,  1794  ;  d.  July  25,  1814. 

Asahel^  Graves  (Joshua,'^  Abraham^) ,  b.  Aug.  25,  1761 ;  m.,  1st, 
May  31,  1780,  Martha  Holmes  (d.  March  30,  1788)  ;  m.,  2d,  April  26, 

1789,  Lydia  Adams  Guild.     Children  :  Dolly,  b.  Apr.  4,  1781.     Pat- 
ty, b.  Sept.  2,  1783.     Giles,  b.  Feb.  19,  1787.    Josiah,  b.  June  29, 

1790.  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  28,  1792.    Esther,  b.  May  20,  1795.    Asahel, 
b.  July  9,  1797. 

Simeon^  Graves  (Joshva,^  Abraham}),  d.  1810,  at  the  age  of  37. 
Children,  by  his  wife  Huldah  :  George,  b.  March  28,  1799.  Harry, 
b.  Aug.  12,  1801.     Elmira,  b.  Jan.  22,  1805. 

Elijah^  Graves  {Elijah,^  Abraham^),  m.  March  31,  1785,  Lucy 
(b.  Sept.  12,  1761),  daugiiter  of  Isaac  McAllister  of  Marlborough. 
Children  :  Lucy,  b.  Nov.  4,  1786  ;  nf.  Peter  Starkey.  Zadock,  b.  May 
7, 1788.  Susanna,  b.  Aug.  16,  1790  ;  m.  Abijah  Whitcomb.  Ezekiel,  b. 
Aug.  15,  1792.  Sylvia,  b.  Oct.  28,  1794  ;  d.  Aug.  17,  1796.  Sylvia, 
b.  Dec.  23,  1796;  m.  Abel  W.  Read.  Polly,  b.  Aug.  3,  1803;  ra. 
Ira  Taft. 

Gad3  Graves  {Elijah,'^  Abraham^),  b.  Aug.  14,  1763  ;  m.  June  8, 
1785,  Mary  (b.  Feb.  18,  1767  ;  d.  Aug.  31,  1848),  daughter  of  Samuel 
Sraead  of  Montague,  Mass.  ;  d.  June  28,  1841.  Children:  Pliilena, 
b.  Sept.  27, 1787;  m.  Oct.  9,  1817,  Zebina  Knight ;  d.  March  10, 
1859.  Sophia,  b.  July  30,  1789  ;  m.  David  Wilson.  Polly,  b.  Dec. 
14,  1791  ;  d.  Sept.   1,   1798.     Louisa,  b.  Sept.  6,  1794;  d.  Aug.  31, 


348  HISTORY    OF   SWANZEY. 

1798.     Riifus,  b.  March,  1797  ;  d.  Aug.   16,  1871.    Isaac,  b.  Feb.  U, 
1802.     Albert,  b.  Aug.  10,  1806. 

Ira''  Graves  (Joshua,^  Joshua,^  Abraham^),  b.  Jan.  9,  1793;  m. 
April  12,  1829,  Mary  Wilson. 

Zadock'*  Graves  (Elijah,^  Elijah,^  Abraham^),  b.  May  7,  1788  ;  m. 
Clarissa  (b.  May,  1800  ;  d.  July,  1860),  daughter  of  Jesse  Lincoln,  of 
Lancaster,  Mass, ;  d.  Jan.  22,  1867.  Children  :  Jesse  Wilder,  b.  July 
27,  1821.  James  Mtinroe,  b.  July  23,  1826.  Charles  Lincoln,  b.  July 
23,  1828;  d.  April  7,  1854.  Edwin  Buttrick,  1).  1829.  Lydia  Ann, 
d.  young,     Zadock,  b.  1840. 

Jesse  W.^  Graves  (Zadock,'^  ElijaJi,^  Elijah,^  Abraham^),  b.  July 
27,  1821;  no.  Oct.  27,  1847,  Mary  A,  Stone  (widow  of  Thomas  L. 
Woodward).  Children:  Thomas  Nelson  Woodwanl,  b.  July  16, 
1844;  Nellie  J.,  b.  Nov.  24,  1848;  m.  Dec.  26,  1866,  George  H. 
Jackson.  Amanda  L.,  b.  Feb.  15,  1850;  m.  Jan.  5,  1876,  Eugene  C. 
llamsdell. 


James  M.^  Graves  {Zadock,'^  Elijah^  Elijah,'^  Abraham^),  b.  July 
23, 1826  ;  m.  Susan  A.  (b.  Aug.  9,  1829) ,  daughter  of  William  Stephen- 
son. 

Edwin  B.^  Graves  {Zadock,'^  Elijah,^  Elijah,^  Abraham^) ,  b,  1829  ; 
m,,  1851,  Polly  Maria  Stevenson  (b.  May  12,  1829;  d.  March  24, 
1854),  daughter  of  Enos  Stevenson  ;  d.  Sept.  24,  1867. 

ghanger. 
William  Granger  of  Chicago,  m.  Oct.  1,  1870,  Melvenah  (b.  Jan. 
11,  1836),  daughter  of  llufus  Thompson.     Child:     William  Roscoe, 
b.  April  14,  1872. 

GREENE. 

Thomas  Greene,    m.   March   2,    1780,  Lydia  Foster.     Children: 
Thomas,  b.  Dec.  16,  1782.     Seth,  b,  March  17,  1784. 

Joseph  Greene,  m.  Apr.  2,  1778,  Betsey  Bigelow. 

Samuel  Greene,  m.  Dec.  14,  1780,  Esther  Freeman. 

Patrick  Greene,  m.  Nov.  24,  1785,  Abigaillvneeland. 

James  Greene,  m.  Oct.  30,  1787,  Elizabeth  Grimes. 

Absalom  Greene,  m.  Nov.  7,  1788,  Relief  Foster. 


%* 


^ 


II 


Hubbard  Williams, 


GENEALOGICAL   EECORDS.  349 

Elizabeth   Greene  ra.  March   9,   1794,   William  Farnswovth  of 

Charlestown. 

William^  Greene  (Salmon^),  m.  Elizabeth  (b.  1777;  d.  Feb.  27, 
1858),  daughter  of  William  Cutler  of  Chesterfield;  d.  Dec.  6, 
1834.  Children:  Abigail,  b.  Oct.  13,  1792;  m.  Ebenezer  Hackett  of 
Chesterfield.  Lucy,  b.  June  25,  1794  ;  m.  David  Belding  of  Riclimond. 
Permelia,  b.  March  8,  1796  ;  d.Nov.  10, 1868.  Anna,b.  Oct.  13, 1798  ; 
m.  L^-nda  Ballard.  Sarah,  b.  Mnrch  8,  1800  ;  ni.  David  Buxston  of  An- 
dover,  Mass.  Polly,  b.  Nov.  16,  1802  ;  d.  March  18,  1852.  Sophia, 
b.  Aug.  16,  1804;  m.  Eli  Stevenson.  Loammi,  b.  Oct.  7,  1806. 
William,  b.  Dec.  28,  1808.  Elizabeth,  b.  Apr.  26,  1812;  d.  Jan.  2, 
1854. 

Loammi^  Gkeene  (William,"  Salmon^),  b.  Oct.  7,  1806;  m.  Oct. 
29,  1832,  Maria  (d.  Dec.  25,  1875,  aged  67),  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
Amadon  ;  d.  in  Winchester. 

Charles  Green,  b.  near  Canada,  1802;  m.  Apr.  9,  1837,  Sarah  C. 
(b.  in  1806;  d.  Sept.  29,  1876,  aged  70  years),  daughter  of  James 
Pierce;  d.  May  29,  1882,  aged  80  years.  Children  :  Charles,  b.  Oct. 
22,  1837.  Rexiville  S.,  b.  Sept.  14,  1839;  m.  Menzies  E.  Stratton. 
Mary  E.,   b.  Aug.  17,  1841.     James.    George,  d.  March  26, 1881. 

Charles^  Green  (Charles^) ,  h .  Oct.  22,  1837;  m.  May  1,  1862, 
Lnvana  M.  (b.  Ai)ril  14,  1838), daughter  of  Paul  F.  Aldrich  ;  resides 
in  Keene. 

GREENLEAF. 

Daniel  Greenleaf,  of  Templeton,  Mass.,  came  to  Swanzey  and 
d.  Nov.  16,  1858,  aged  90  years.  Sarah,  his  wife,  d.  Sept.  12, 
1849,  aged  86  years. 

Daniel^  Greenleaf   (Daniel^  of  Templeton,  Mass.),  b.    Aug.   7, 

1800  ;  m.,  1st,  Sarah (d.  Sept.,  1879)  ;  m.,  2nd,  Miranda  Carter 

(b.  1815),  daugliter  of  Nathan  Carter  ;  d.  July  3, 1874.  Children  :  Ma- 
ria, b.  Jan.  15,  1825  ;  ra.  Norton  E.  Pratt  of  Hinsdale.  Calvin  T. 
Estella,  d.  July  7,  1840.  Leafie  J.,  b.  July  5,  1848  ;  m.  Oct.  4,  1870, 
Lyman  Stone.  Amelia  A.,  b.  Sept.  4,  1850  ;  m.  Wallace  Heal}-.  Mary 
T.,  b.  Sept.  8,  1852;  m.  Feb.  23,  1871,  Norris  C.  Carter.  Charles 
D.,b.  Sept.  20,  1854.  William  A.,  b.  July  7,  1856  ;  d.  July  23,  1865. 
24 


350  HISTORY   OF   SWANZEY. 


GRIFFITH. 

William  Griffith,  b.  1751  ;  m.  Dec.  29,  1785,  Deborah  Corey  of 

Gilsum  ;  m.,  2nd,  Polly (b.  March  13,  1761  ;   d.   1834).    lie  d. 

Dec,  1842.  Children  :  Two  infants  d.  in  1786.  Abraham,  b.  June 
21,1788.  Betse}^,  b.  March  31,  1790  ;  m.  Lot  Chapman.  Lucy,  b.  May 
6,  1793.  Polly,  b.  Nov.  25,  1801.  Samuel,  b.  Oct.  1,  1803.  Barney, 
b.  Feb.  10,  1806. 

SamuelS  Griffith  (William^),  b.  Oct.  1,  1803  ;  m.  Feb.  22,  1826, 
Mahala  (b.  May  2, 1804  ;  d.  May  21, 1887),  daughter  of  John  Grimes  ; 
d.  May  18,  1880.  Children  :  John  Gihnan,  b.  Aug.  16,  1827  ;  Eliza 
Ann,  b.  Oct.  18,  1828.  Charles  Grimes,  b.  Aug.  15,  1830.  George 
.Johnson,  b.  March  5,  1832  ;  d.  July  5,  1873.  Henry  Alonzo,  b.  Dec. 
5,  1834.  Albert  Parker,  b.  Oct.  7,  1836.  Olive  Relief,  b.  Apr.  7, 
1838.  Lucy  Victoria,  b.  June  11,  1839.  Daniel  D.,  b.  Dec.  16, 
1842.     Edwin  A.,  b.  Aug.  12,  1844.    Joseph  E.,  b.  Jan.  29,  1846. 

Barnei2  Griffith  {William^),  b.  Feb.  10, 1806  ;  m.Nov.  12,  1837, 
Irene  White  of  Keene  ;  d.  Dec.  8,  1880.     Children:    Edward  S.,  b. 
Apr.  11,  1838;  m.  Addie  Tyrrell  of  Chesterfield.     Rodne^',  b.  Sept. 
24,  1841  ;  m.  June  16,  1871,  Mrs.  Rose  Maxley  of  Lowell,  Mass. 

GRUIKS. 

William^  Grimes  m.  Mar}-  ;  d.  Jan.   14,  1781.    Children: 

John,  b.  May  24,  1741.  James,  b.  Feb.  10,  1743.  Mary,  b.  Nov. 
10,  1744;  m.  Benjamin  Wilson.  William,  b.  May  12,  1747.  Eliza- 
beth, b.  Apr.  12,  1749  ;  d.  Oct.  6, 1770.  Samuel,  b.  March  4,  1751  ;  d. 
Mai'ch  10,  1761.  Charles,  b.  Apr.  15,  1754.  Sarah,  bapt.  in  Apr., 
1756  ;  m.  Robert  Wire  of  Jaffrey.     Susanna,  bapt.  Jan.  27,  1760. 

JoHN^  Grimes  (William^)^  b.  May  24,  1741  ;  d.  in  1765  ;  Lydia,  his 
wife,  m.  Nov.  30,  1775,  Daniel  Read  of  Richmond.  Children  :  John, 
bapt.  Jan.  17,  1766,  by  its  mother,  the  father  being  dead.  Zenas, 
bapt.  Feb.  24,  1774. 

James-  Grimes   {Willia7n'^),  b.  Feb.  10,  1743;  m.  Elizabeth . 

Children:  Samuel,  bapt.  July  22,  1770.  Elizabeth,  bapt.  July  21, 
1771 ;  in.  James  Greene,  Oct.  30,  1787. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  351 

Charles'^  Guimes  {William^),  h.  April  15,  1754;  in.  Azubah 
Greene,  Ang.  26,  1778. 

William^  Grimes  (William^),  b.  May  12,  1747;  m.  May  3,  1770, 
Mary  Willard  of  Lancaster,  Mass.  Children  :  Sarah,  b.  Aug.  21,  1771 ; 
m.  Aug.  5,  1792,  Dulan  Battles  of  Winchester.  William,  b.  Jan.  24, 
1773.     Mary,  b.  Dec.   17,  1774.     Lucinda,  b.  Sept.  25,  1776. 

John3  Grimes  {John,^  William^),  h.  \i\  1766;  m.  Aug.  21,1783, 
Tryphena  (b.  1764;  d.  Sept.  22,  1850),  daughter  of  Joseph  Razey ; 
d.  Aug.  7,  1848.  Children  :  Lydia,  b.  Jan.  15,  1785  ;  m.,  1st,  Luther 
Howes  ;  m.,  2nd,  his  brother  Silas.  Tryphena,  b.  Jan.  20,  1788  ;  ni. 
Henry  Jaquith.  Anna,  b.  July  6,  1791  ;  m.  Abel  Worcester.  John, 
b.  March  14,  1792;  d.  John,  b.  Nov.  14,  1793.  Polly,  b.  Feb.  9, 
1796;  in.  William  Stephenson.  Asenath,  b.  Jan.  19,  1798.  Daniel, 
d.  Nov.,  1802.  Susan,  b.  July  25,  1802;  m.  Cyrene  Johnson.  Ma- 
hala,  b.  May  2,  1804;  m.  Samuel  Griffith.  Ava,  b.  Dec.  11,  1807; 
m.  Dexter  Warren,  Jan.  20,  1830. 

Samuel^  Grimes  (James,^  William^),  bapt.  July  22, 1770  ;  ra.  Feb. 
9,  1797,  Mary,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Trask.     Children:  Tryphena, 
m.  March  4,  1816,  Samuel  Read  of  New  York.     Nancy  S.,  b.  June. 
5, 1805  ;  in.,  1st,  May  25,  1829,  Horace  Verry  ;  in.,  2nd,Elijah  Howard  ; 
she  d.  May  31,  1889.     Esther.     Sylvia. 

JoHN^  Grimes  {Jolin,^  John?  TF?7?mm'),  reared  a  family  and  re- 
moved from  this  town.  Children  :  Gilman.  John.  Celiuda.  Hiram. 
Priscilla. 

GROGAN. 

Richard  Grogan,  b.  in  Ireland;  m.  June  29,  1867,  Margaret 
O'Donnell  (b.  in  1844).  Children:  Richard,  b.  Feb.  28,  1869. 
Daniel  J.,  b.  Apr.  30,  1872.  Mary  E.,  b.  Apr.  3,  1874.  Katie  A., 
b.  Sept.  9,  1875.  Frederick  T.,  b.  Feb.  5,  1879.  Maggie  V.,  b. 
Nov.  29,  1880. 

GUILD. 

Dan.  Guild,  m.  Sarah ;  d.  about  1798.  Children:  Thom- 
as, b.  July  24,  1786.  Esther,  b.  Apr.  4,  1788.  Rufus,  b.  Jan.  28, 
1790. 

John  Guild,  ni.,  1st,  Dec.  11,  1791,  Hepzibah,  daughter  of  Joshua 
Graves;  m.,  2nd,  March  13,  1834,  Hannah  Young  of  Guilford,  Vt. 


352  HISTOHY    OF    SWANZET. 


GUNN. 

Wyot  Gtjnn,  m.  Nov.  25,  IT.'iG,  Sarah  (d.  Marcli  3,  17G4),  the 
widow  of  William  Hill.  He  d.  about  1798.  Children  :  Mary,  h.  Dec. 
24,  1757.  Tirza,  b.  May  17,  17G0.  William,  b.  June  26,  1763. 
Sarah,  b.  Jan.  2,  1767;  d.  Dec.l2,  1769  Israel  Houghton,  b.  Oct. 
10,  1768;  m.  Oct.  21,  1792,  Elizabeth  Belding, 

Daniel  Gunn,  b.  in  1734;  m.  Submit ;  d.  Feb.  25,  1812. 

Children:  Submit,  b.  Dec.  11,  1757;  m.  William  Lawrence  of  Win- 
chester. Samuel,  b.  Oct.  26,  1760.  Daniel,  b.  March  3,  1763  ;  d. 
Nov.  21,  1786.  Ebenezer,  b.  May  28,  1765.  Eunice,  b.  Oct.  21, 
1767.  Elijah,  bapt.  June  27,  1770.  Elisha,  b.  March  29,  1772. 
Calvin,  bapt.  Aug.  27,  1777.  Luther,  bapt.  Aug.  27,  1777;  d.  May 
14,  1781.     Daniel,  bapt.  Nov.  5,  1780. 

William^  Gunn  (  Wyot^),  b.  June  26,  1763  ;  m.,  1st,  Oct.  18,  1790, 
Lydia  Jacks  of  Keene ;  m.,  2nd,  June  6,  1805,  Rhoda  Durfee  of 
Smithfield,  R.  I.  He  d.  in  1741.  Cliildren  by  first  wife:  Lewis,  d. 
June  26,  1849.  Sally.  Children,  by  second  wife  :  Delata,  b.  Dec, 
1805  ;  m.  Daniel  Vaughn  of  Prescott,  Mass.  William,  b.  Se[)t.  5, 
1807.  Clarissa,  b.  April  4,  1809  ;  m.  Charles  Talbot.  Daniel,  d. 
young.  Israel  Houghton,  b.  Sei)t.  14,  1814.  Angelina,  m.  a  Mr. 
Bennett  of  Southbridge,  Mass.  Lucinda,  m.  Daniel  Robins  of  Charl- 
ton, Mass. 

Samuel^  Gunn  (Dcmiel^),  b.  Oct.  26,  1760  ;  m.  Mar}',  daughter  of 
Timothy  Clark.  Children:  Samuel.  Justin.  Daniel.  George.  Charles. 
Sarah.  Sylvia.  Achsah,  m.  John  IMarch,  Jan.  1,  1840. 

Charlks^  Gunn  {Samuel,'^  Daniel^),  m.  Abbie  Pettiplace.  Chil- 
dren :  P^dward.  Mar}-.  George  M.,  b.  Sept.  22,  1855;  m.  Nov.  26, 
1886,  Lizzie  A.,  daughter  of  E.  B.  Rugg  and  had  Frank  E.,  b.  Feb. 
6,  1887. 

Wili.iam3  Gunn  (William,^  Wyot^),  b.  Sept.  5,  1807;  m.,  1st,  Oct. 
1,  1«35,  Hannah  (b.  Apr.  16,  1815  ;  d.  March  11,  1869),  daughter  of 
Benoni  Austin;  m.,  2nd,  Feb.  17,  1872,  widow  Carlton  (d.  Oct.  1, 
1882),  of  Greenwich,  Mass.  Children:  Fidelia  Ann,  b.  Sept.  14, 
1836  ;  d.  Nov.  19,  1836.  Andrew  Austin,  b.  Oct.  25,  1839  ;  d.  Mar. 
4,  1841.  Marrilla  Ann,  b.  Feb.  15,  1842;  ra.  Eben  Smith.  Harriet 
E.,  b.  May  6,  1»44;  d.  Apr.  4,  1868. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  35 


9 


Israel  H.3  Gunn  (William,^  Wyot^),h.  Sept.  14,  1814;  m.  Oct.  1, 
1835,  Lydia  M.  (b.  Aug.  25,  1815),  daughter  of  David  Bishop  of 
Warwick,  Mass.;  he  d.  May  20,  1885.  Children:  Mary  A.,  b. 
March  2,  1837  ;  m.   Roswell  Whitcomb.     Philander  W.,  b.  June  6, 

1839.  Daniel  H.,  b.  Apr.  29,  1843.     Henry  W.,  b.  Apr.  26,  1850  ; 
d.  June  3,  1872. 

Philander  W."*  Gunn  (Israel  H.,^  William,'^  Wyot^),h.  June  6, 
1839  ;  m.  Nov.  20,  1866,  Mary  W.  Ward  of  Troy  ;  d.  Aug.  22,  1867. 

Daniel  H.^  Gunn  {Israel  H.,^  William,^  Wyot^),h.  April  29,  1843  ; 
m.  Lucinda  Talbot,  daughter  of  Charles  Talbot,  April  29,  1867. 
Children  :  Alice  E.,  b.  Aug.  8,  1867  ;  d.  1868.  Alma  N.  and  Alice 
M.,  b.  Aug.  18,  1870  ;  Alice  d.  May  6,  1872.  Homer  D.,  b.  June  23, 
1872;  d.  Mar.  9,  1874. 

hale. 
Eliphalet  Hale,  m.  March  1,  1781,  Rachel  Scott. 

Israel  C.  Hale,  b.  1799  ;  m.  1833,  Parmelia  Austin  (b.  1810  ;  d. 
1860)  ;  he  d.  Sept.  22,  1874.  Children  :  Lovina,  b.  June  1,  1834  ;  m. 
Nahum  Bullock.  Mary,  b.  Aug.  17,  1836  ;  m.  Alvin  Kempton  of 
Winchester.     Twins,  d.  young.     Parmelia  A.,  b.  Sept.  3,  1840  ;  m. 

Slate.     Israel  C,  b.  Nov.  19,  1842.     Rhoda  G.,  b.  March  11, 

1849  ;  m.  F.  G.  Waldo. 

John^  Hale  (Daniel^  of  Jlidimond) ,m.,  1st,  Susanna  Bullock;  ra., 

2d,  Drewry.     Children:  Jeremiah,  b.  Sept.  9,  1811.     Nancy. 

John  D.,  b.  April  10,  1824.  Otis  D.,  b.  Nov.  3,  1828.  Lydia. 
Mar}'  Ann. 

Jeremiah^  Hale   (John,^  Daniel^),  b.  Sept.  9,  1811;  m.  Jan.  3, 

1840,  Sybil  (b.  Apr.  20,  1820),  daughter  of  Caleb  Willis  of  Win- 
chester;  d.  May  2,  1879,  in  Alstead.  Children:  Jeremiah  L.,b.  Feb. 
6,  1841 ;  d.  Aug.  19,  1842.  Emily  S.,  b.  Jan.  25,  1844,  in  Warwick, 
Mass. ;  m.  Sept.  5, 1864,  Mr.  Parks  (b.  in  Warwick,  Mass.)  ;  d.  March 
13,  1865.  Willard  R.,  b.  Oct.  25,  1850  ;  m.  Dec.  13,  1883,  Emma  A. 
Northrop  of  Keene ;  lives  in  Alstead.  Otis  W.,  b.  June  15,  1862; 
d.  June  28,  1862. 

John  D.^  Hale  (John,^  Daniel^),  b.  April  10,  1824;  d.  April  30, 
1889  ;  m.  Abigail  Wright  of  NorthQeld,  Mass.     Children  :  Clarissa, 


354  HISTORY   OF    SWANZEY. 

m.  Mr.  Bosworth;  lives  in  Keene.  John  F.,  m.  Chloe  E.  (b.  Dec. 
14,  1870),  daughter  of  Nelson  W.  Rice;  lives  in  Tro}'.  James  M. 
Orissa,  ni.  and  lives  in  Winchendon.  Nancy,  lives  in  Keene.  P^mma, 
m.  Artliur  Edwards  of  Troy.  Anna,  m.  George  Ballon  of  Sprague- 
ville.     Walter. 

Otis  D.3  Hale  (John,^  DanieU),  b.  Nov.  3,-  1828;  m.  Abigail 
Conistock.  Children  :  Nellie  V.,  d.  young.  Pearl,  lives  in  Keene. 
Grace  O. 

Daniel  Hale  ni.  Joanna  Oakes ;  both  d.  in  Winchester.  Child: 
Charles,  d.  in  1849,  aged  about  17  years. 

hall. 
Zaccheus  Hall,  came  from  Fitzwilliam  about  1793  ;  in.    Susannah 
• .    Cliild  :  Jonas,  b.  June  21,  178G,  in  Fitzwilliam. 


Jonas^  Hall  (Zaccheus^),  b.  June  21,  1786;  m.  Lurana  (b.  Sept. 
10,  1786),  daughter  of  Eliezer  Mason.  Children  :  E.  Mason,  b.  Oct., 
1818.  Levi  A.,  b.  in  1820.  Russell  B.,  b.  Sept,  19,  1822.  Amasa, 
b.  in  1824.  Adaline,  b.  in  1827.  Ainariah  C,  b.  in  1829.  Jane,  b. 
in  1831  ;  d.  in  Minnesota  in  1860. 

Russell  B.3  Hall  {Jonas,-  Zaccheus^),  b.  Sept.  19,  1822  ;  m.  Jan. 
2,  1848,  Sarah  (b.  May  4,  1818;  d.  April  25,  1877,  in  Minnesota), 
daughter  of  Martin  Mason  ;  m.,  2nd,  May  12,  1879,  Sarah,  widow 
of  Henry  Holbrook.  Children  :  Alonzo  R.,  b.  Jan.  4,  1849.  George 
D.,  b.  June  13,  1853  ;  d.  Sept.  13,  1853.  Eliza  E.,  b.  in  Aug.,  1857, 
in  Minnesota.  George  M.,  b.  Oct.  12,  1859.  Willie  E.,  b.  Jan.  20, 
1863. 

William  E.'*  Hall  (Russell  B.,^  Jonas,-  ZaccJieiis^),  b.  Jan.  20, 
1863;  m.  Mary  E. (b.  Aug.  28,  1857).  Children:  Ger- 
trude May,  b.July  21,  1882,  in  Troy.  George  W.,  b.  March  29, 
1884.     Walter  R.,  b.  Sept.  18,  1886,  in  Otter  River,  Mass. 

HAMBLET. 

JosiAn  Hamblet  and  Alice  Atwood  came  from  Pelham,  settled  in 
the  nortiiwest  corner  of  tliis  town.  Children  :  Mehitable,  b.  Feb.  7, 
1787;  m.  John  Long  of  Northtield,  INLiss.  Josiah,  b.  May  15,  1793. 
Maiy,  b.  April  4,  1797  ;  m.  Aug.  2,  1821,  George  Metcalf  of  Chester- 
field. Daniel,  b.  May  26,  1799.  Alice,  b.  Oct.  26,  1801  ;  m.  Jonathan 
D.  Ware.     John  A.,  b.  May  7,  1804.     A  son  b.  in  1809  ;  d.  in  1813. 


GENEALOGICAL   RECORDS.  355 

JosiAH^  Hamblet  {Josiah^  of  Pelham),  b.  May  15,  1793  ;  m.  Jan. 
26,  1819,  Aurilla  (b.  Oct.  10,  1797;  d.  Nov.  25,  1883),  daughter  of 
Reuben  Britton  ;   he  d.  April  24,  1866,  aged  72  yrs. 

John  A.^  ITamblet  {Josiali^  of  Pelham),  b.  May  7,  1804 ;  m.  Apr. 
3,  1833,  Calista  (I).  Jan.  16,  1810;  d.  Jan.  11,  1879),  daughter  of 
Peter  Cross;  m.,  2nd,  widow  Lydia  B.  Stevenson,  who  d.  Nov.  24, 
1890.  Children:  Atwell  J.,  b.  Jan.  12,  1834;  d.  April  7,  1863. 
Almira  C,  b.  Jan.  19,  1836  ;  ra.  Rev.  T.  C.  Potter  of  Burlington,  Ver- 
mont.    Lucy  Jane,  b.  May  24,  1846 ;  m.  Charles  H.  Holbrook. 

Phinehas^  Hamblet  came  from  Pelham  ;  m.,  1st,  Rachel  (d.  Feb,  15, 
1804)  ;  m.,  2nd,  Dec.  8,  1804,  Betsey  Hill  of  Keene.  He  d.  Oct.  13, 
1841.  Children  :  Sarah,  b.  June  16,  1787;  m.  Jacob  Ware  of  Win- 
chester. Elizabeth,  b.  March  22,  1789  ;  m.  James  Snow  of  Win- 
chester. Benjamin,  b.  June  12,  1791.  Phebe,  b.  April  4,  1793;  m. 
Joshua  Snow.  Hannah,  b.  May  10,  1796;  d.  Dec.  16,  1797.  Ra- 
chel, m.  March  3,  1831,  Joel  Estabrooks  ;  d.  Aug.,  1835.  Phinehas. 
Abigail,  b.  and  d.   Jan.  5,  1804. 

Benjamin^  Hamblet  (Phinehas^  of  PeUiam),  b.  June  12,  1791  ;  d- 
Dec.  19,  1852,  in  Keene  ;  m.  Sept.  29,  1816,  Lucy  Willis,  whod.  Jan. 
26,  1860.  Children  :  Horace,  b.  Jan.  25, 1817.  George,  b.  Nov.  30, 
1818. 

Phinehas^  Hamblet  {Phinehas^    of  Pelham)  ^m. .     Children: 

Eliza,  David.  Benjamin.  Ruel ;  removed  to  the  state  of  New  York 
about  1830. 

Horace^  Hamblet  {Benjamin,^  Phinehas'^) ,  h.  Jan.  5,  1817;  m., 
1st,  Jan.  8,  1840,  Olive  (d.  July  12,  1845)  daughter  of  Simon  Stone 
of  Keene  ;  m.,  2nd,  184